In its first ever collaboration with The Violent Crown, Penfold Theatre Company will present Henry V, Shakespeare’s action-packed war epic that depicts the making of a legend. 

 

Henry IV is dead, and Prince Hal is crowned King Henry V of England. With the nation in a state of unrest, Henry must leave his rebellious youth behind and strive to gain the respect of his nobles and citizens. Spurred by claim to parts of France and an egregious insult from the French Dauphin, Henry gathers his troops and prepares for a war that he hopes will unite his country. The campaign takes him deep into the heart of enemy territory, where, his numbers and supplies dwindling, Henry and his ragged band of brothers face impossible odds on the fields of Agincourt. 

 

Henry V is directed and adapted for six actors by Liz Fisher, a recent recipient of the Princess Grace Award for emerging artists. The Violent Crown – which provides stage combat performance, choreography and training – partners to create the many large battle sequences in the play. Filling out the design team are Austin favorites Ia Enstera, Andrew McIntyre, Aaron Flynn and Lowell Bartholomee, and the cast includes Joseph Garlock, Amelia Turner, Taylor Flanagan, Adam Miller-Batteau, Natalie Blackman and Zac Carr.

 

In keeping with its commitment to make live, professional theatre accessible to all, Penfold offers Henry V as the ninth installment in the “Penfold in the Park” series, an annual offering of free, outdoor summer theatre made possible by a partnership with the City of Round Rock Parks & Recreation Department.

 

Audience members are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the sculpture exhibit on display next door in Centennial Plaza. The First Saturday Soiree, offered only on June 1st (RSVP required, see the Henry V website for details), features a unique opportunity to have a pre-event dinner with the Penfold creative team and learn more about the work of this award-winning theatre company.

 

“For years, we’ve been looking for an opportunity to do a big fight show with the guys at Violent Crown,” says Producing Artistic Director Ryan Crowder. “We’ve also been wanting to work with Liz for a long time. Now, we’re getting them all together in this show that’s not just a summer blockbuster with battles and spectacle – it is that – but it’s also a sober look at the soldier’s experience and how a ‘band of brothers’, as Henry calls it, can help us get through hard things.”

 

No reservations are required for Henry V. Donations are appreciated.

 

EXTRAS

Watch a pre-show interview between leading actor Joseph Garlock and Rebecca Darling of "Round the Rock: Activities in Round Rock, TX"

Read and listen to a special segment by Michael Lee on KUT Austin.

Listen to the cast perform with Lisa Scheps on KOOP Radio (starting at 23:40 in the recording).

Listen to our conversation with John Aielli on KUTX Austin.

 

May 30 – June 23, 2019

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm

Special Sunday performance on June 23rd at 8:00pm

Round Rock Amphitheater, 301 W. Bagdad Ave, 78664

Free admission, donations appreciated

More information available at www.penfoldtheatre.org