Henry IV Parts I & II

The rightful King Richard II is dead, deposed and murdered by his cousin and once loyal subject, Henry Bolingbroke. Now Bolingbroke claims the throne as Henry IV, struggling to defend the crown long enough for it to pass safely to his son Hal. But rebel armies are massing, men he once called friends set in motion a deadly plot, as history moves to repeat itself...

Revisiting the casting practices of Shakespeare’s original company of actors, this bold and energetic production sees a cast of 9 men bringing the epic story of Henry IV and his truant son to life. Swords and skirts will be wielded with equal vigour, complete with many of Shakespeare’s best loved characters such as the bawdy Mistress Quickly, witty Falstaff, warlike Hotspur and the noble trickster Prince Hal himself.

Set in a turbulent period of England’s history, the play is a riotous clash of comedic and tragic themes; drunken revelry in an unstable time of peace gives way to the looming threat of civil war.

A raucous and current production that surprised, delighted and occasionally scandalised audiences during its initial run at the Guildford School of Acting.

'Beautiful production. Don't miss it!' (Brenda Blethyn OBE)

'Crackling, intelligent, visceral and invested' (Guildford Shakespeare Company)

A PRG/Guildford School of Acting co-production.