The 2009 Summer Shakespeare production team know about doing the Bard justice outdoors – between them they have been involved in over 15 Summer Shakespeares. Director David Lawrence, fresh from directing the runaway success Jane Eyre at the Fortune Theatre, Dunedin, re-unites with Production Manager Simon Vincent (producer and writer of A Renaissance Man). Producer Jacqueline Coats completes the formidable triumvirate spearheading what is arguably Shakespeare’s most exciting history play.
Henry V tells the story of a newly-crowned king waging war on an ‘enemy’ to promote nationalism in his disparate state…ring any bells? In our times of soaring oil prices and crunching credit, any diversion is welcome and in David Lawrence’s extremely pertinent new production we examine some of the motives behind Henry’s nationalism.
The main challenge facing any director of Henry V is how to convincingly create the battles. The 40-strong cast will serve to give the respective armies bulk, while internationally acclaimed fight choreographer Allan Henry (who also stars as The Constable) will give the armies grace and guts! The role of Henry will be played by Alex Greig, who has performed many of Shakespeare’s more interesting roles, (Edmund, Laertes, Bottom, Romeo) and is looking forward with relish to creating this English Hero. Rehearsals kick-off next week where Alex and Allan are joined by a talented cast of young and old. This show is not to be missed; it will be unlike anything you have ever seen!
Studio 77 Amphitheatre, 77 Fairlie Terrace, Kelburn
The Chorus Alison Walls
King Henry Alex Greig
Duke of Exeter (the King’s uncle) Jonny Potts
Earl of Westmorland Victoria Morgan
Duke of Gloucester (the King’s brother) Fiona McNamara
Duke of Bedford (the King’s brother) Alisha Tyson
Duke of York (the King’s cousin) Blair Everson
Duke of Salisbury Brooke Smith-Harris
Captain Fluellen Chris Smith
Captain Gower Bailey McCormack
Sir Thomas Erpingham Tony Catford
Michael Williams Daniel Watterson
John Bates Victoria Morgan
Alexander Court Alisha Tyson
The Archbishop of Canterbury David Goldthorpe
The Bishop of Ely James Barber
Pistol Jackson Coe
Nym Jack O’Donnell
Bardolph Benyamin Albert
Nell Quickly Amelia Willcox
The Boy Jessica Aaltonen
Sir John Falstaff Tony Catford
Richard, Earl of Cambridge Daniel Watterson
Henry, Lord Scroop of Masham Kirsty Bruce
Thomas Grey, Knight of Northumberland Thomas Horder
King Charles VI of France Michael Brady
Queen Isabel Suzie Evans
Prince Louis, the Dauphin Alex Rabina
Princess Katherine Alison Walls
Alice (maid to Katherine) Louise Burston
Charles Delabreth, High Constable of France Allan Henry
Montjoy the Herald Hannah McKie
Duke of Orleans Blair Everson
Earl of Rambures Kirsty Bruce
Earl of Grandpre Brooke Smith-Harris
Duke of Bourbon Eleanor Stewart
Duke of Bretagne Alisha Tyson
Duke of Burgundy Laura Feslier
Monsieur Le Fer Cathy Gamba
Governor of Harfleur Tony Catford
Earl of Foix Byron Abbey
Dogs on Tuesday
Drums – Alex Rabina
Violin – Eleanor Stewart
Saxophone – Jackson Coe
Trumpet – David Goldthorpe
Trombone – James Barber
Bass – Blair Everson
Guitar – David Lawrence, Benyamin Albert, Daniel Watterson
Flute – Katherine Beijeman
Recorder – Jack O’Donnell
Vocals – Jonny, Dan, Louise, Laura, Eleanor
Director David Lawrence
Producer Jacqueline Coats
Production Manager Simon Vincent
Fight Choreographer Allan Henry
Stage Manager Lori Leigh
Assistant Stage Manager Brooke Smith-Harris
Costume Design Katherine Beijeman & Felicity Bunny
Set Design Karin Reinholt
Lighting Design Rebecca Wilson
Lighting Operator Melanie Duncan
Crew Angie Hagan & Jasmine Chan-Hyams
Media Design Santa’s Little Helper