Epic Shakespeare Concludes Playbox Theatre Folio Year
CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT
Shakespeare’s HENRY IV inspired by the movie of Orson Welles at THE DREAM FACTORY WARWICK
Thursday 9th November (7pm)
Friday 10th November (7pm)
Saturday 11th November (3pm and 7pm)
To conclude a year of celebrating the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio 1623, Playbox Theatre stage an epic new production of Shakespeare’s history plays Henry IV parts 1 and 2.
CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT is based on the 1966 movie made by and starring Orson Welles, the culmination of his life long love of Shakespeare as actor, director and critic.
Central to the production is the character of Sir John Falstaff, played by Welles in the film and at Playbox Theatre by 18 year old Corin Alford.
The story is that of Falstaff and Hal beginning after the death of Richard II and moving through to the early scenes of Henry V. The epic story spans a lifetime and sees England as Falstaff represent ‘the Merrie England of Old’ emerge into a modern age.
A cast of 28 young artists from Playbox Theatre form the ensemble who together play over 100 characters in Court, Countryside, Tavern and the landscape of Shrewsbury Battle Field. The story is of parents and children, love and loss and the ever creeping age passing the torch to a new generation.
Mery Sutherland (17) is Justice Shallow, Ethan Phillips (16) Hotspur, Quillan Mitchell (16) Prince Hal/Henry V, Liam Browne (18) Henry IV, Meera Palta (17) Mistress Quickly, Eve Hatz (16) Poins, and Ottilie Lampitt (17) Doll Tearsheet.
Directed by Consultant Director Stewart McGill, the production draws on the text from Henry IV, Richard II, Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry V. Playbox Theatre’s production is subtitled ‘The Last Of England’ as time passes and a new order is set in place ready for foreign quarrels and the anticipation of Agincourt.
Folio 23 opened at The Dream Factory with A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by Mary King for Christmas and staged in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon and at the theatre across the year. On Midsummer Night, the cast of Dream restyled the Act 5 Pyramis and Thisbe sequence outdoors under the sky on the longest day of the year.
To accompany CHIMES there will be talks, events, Café of Ideas and costume displays relating to Playbox Theatre’s history of staging Shakespeare.
Thursday 9th November
WHY CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT?
A discussion with the company following the performance.
Friday 10th November 6.30pm
SHAKESPEARE YOUNG COMPANY & PUCKS – SHAKESPEARE’S QUEENS
Pre-show presentation.
Saturday 11th November 6pm
HENRY IV PARTS 1/2
Pre-show talk by Paul Edmondson Head of Research and Knowledge and Director of the Stratford-upon-Avon Poetry Festival for The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Front-Of-House Area
Throughout CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT, there will be costumes, photos and props on display reflecting Playbox Theatre and Shakespeare.
