Henry the Fifth

This production closed early due to COVID-19

March 12 – April 19, 2020 (The King’s Shadow Rep)
June 4 – June 25, 2021 (Full Histories Rep)
July 1 – 11, 2021 (Histories Marathons)

View all Henry the Fifth dates and times VIEW LIST

Part of the first half of Shakespeare’s Histories, The King’s Shadow

Now King of England, Henry V shifts his eyes from the civil wars of his youth to conquest abroad, launching an invasion of France. As the French rush to defend their domain, Henry lays siege and marches across the country with a violent and relentless aggression.

Content Warning

The staging and discussion of this play will engage with depictions of violence, language or verbal abuse, sexism, racism, death, and sexual violence. Please be advised that blood and gunfire effects will be used. Sequences with flashing lights may affect photosensitive audience members.

Henry the Fifth is generously sponsored by Amanda Michaels

The Lab at Convergence
1819 N. Quaker Lane
Alexandria, VA 22302

2 hours and 30 minutes, including intermission

Regular Tickets $35
Preview Tickets $20
8-Ticket Multi-Pass $250
Marathon Package $350 (no ticket fees!)

Special Events

Thursday, March 12, 2020, 8pm: Preview – tickets $20 in advance or name your price at the door
Friday, March 13, 2020, 8pm: Preview – tickets $20 in advance or name your price at the door
Thursday, April 2, 2020: Post-show talkback with the artists
Saturday, April 4, 2020, 1:30pm: Pre-show lecture

Cast

Brendan Edward Kennedy Henry V
Duane Richards Duke of York / Dauphin / Michael Williams
Lisa Hill-Corley Hostess Quickly / Queen Isabel / Gower
Nicole Ruthmarie Katherine / Lady Tamsin Grey / Bates
Zach Brewster-Geisz Bardolph / Sir Thomas Erpingham / Governor of Harfleur

John Stange Pistol / Talbot
Annette Mooney Duchess of Exeter
Brianna Goode Peto / Montjoy
Gary DuBreuil Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester / Nym / Monsieur Le Fer
Michael Bannigan Jr. John, Duke of Bedford / Duke of Bourbon
Jillian Riti Westmoreland

Ian Blackwell Rogers Fluellen / Archbishop of Canterbury / Henry, Lord Scroop
Jacqueline Chenault Alice / Jamy / Duchess of Orleans
Tom Howley Constable of France / Richard, Earl of Cambridge / Alexander Court
Joshua Williams Bishop of Ely / MacMorris

Production Team

Charlene V. Smith Director
Claire Kimball Dramaturg
Casey Kaleba* Fight Director
Megan Behm Intimacy Choreographer
Amanda Forstrom Movement Director

Jordan Friend Composer / Music Director
Jen Katz Stage Manager
Kirra Sharpe Assistant Stage Manager
Kristen P Ahern Costume Designer
Megan Holden Set Designer

Jason Aufdem-Brinke Lighting Designer
Hannah Fogler Makeup Designer
Caolan Eder Properties Designer
Jenna Berk Dialect Coach

* Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.

I have never seen Henry’s wooing of Princess Katherine after so many of her cousins and countrymen have been routed done effectively on a large stage. [Director Charlene V. Smith] not only uses the intimacy of the smaller venue to her advantage, but she reimagines the scene as a feminist critique of Henry’s entire enterprise as Katherine’s understanding that she is to be war booty reveal the cracks in Henry’s self-presentation.

Ian Thal, Washington City Paper

Director Charlene V. Smith views this, one of Shakespeare’s most popular history plays, with fresh eyes, and brings a sober understanding of the historical reality behind the shining pentameter veneer.

Andrew White, Broadway World

Shakespeare’s Histories: The King’s Shadow. Directed by Charlene V. Smith. February-March 2020. Brave Spirits Theatre. Photo by Claire Kimball.

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Special Support for the Histories

The King’s Shadow is supported in part by Jason Aufdem-Brinke, the City of Alexandria, the Nora Roberts Foundation, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, The Morgan Fund at Seattle Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Shakespeare's Histories