The Life of Henry the Fifth
Presented by Shakespeare's North Productions
A young man, once revelling in freedom and reckless camaraderie, is thrust into the role of a king, burdened with the fate of England.
Victory or ruin rests on his shoulders, yet his newfound power isolates him, leaving him lost, uncertain,
and deeply unsettled.
Betrayed by friends, mistrusted by his men, and taunted by those who seek his downfall, Henry’s journey is both severe and profoundly relatable.
Shakespeare crafts a world where soldiers fight without knowing why, where the battlefield sees vagrants and children stand shoulder to shoulder, where uncertain rulers navigate a landscape devoid of guidance from the past. It is a world that, despite its historical setting, feels unnervingly close to our own.
With only ten dynamic performers, this is Henry the Fifth like never before: stripped back, sharp, and driven by the raw intensity of Shakespeare’s text.
Expect fast-paced storytelling, immersive staging, and a production that puts the audience at the heart of the battle.
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Full show duration: 95 min including a 15 min intermission.
“This production epitomises what can be achieved when talent, teamwork, hard work, opportunity and passion combine.’”
Creative Team
- Directed by Eli Hancock
- Co-produced by Eli Hancock and Gabby Clark
- Composition by Connor Hurnard
- Set Design by EJ Buckingham and Phoebe Driscole
- French Dialect Coaching by Margot Allais
- Poster Design by Gabby Clark
- Photography by Phoebe Driscole
Performed by:
- Leander Mason
- Jesse Franks
- Matthew Wongchoti
- Allan Burne
- Chris O'Grady
- Margot Allais
- Madeleine James
- Lily-Rose Parker
- Katy Comar
- David Fourie
content warning
Coercive behaviour, Strong Language, including descriptions of infanticide and sexual violence.
