Stage: Henry IV plays
Shakespeare’s Globe presents the three Henry VI plays
Following the death of Henry V, celebrated for having united England and subjugated France, divisions appear at the highest levels – first between those around the infant Henry VI, later between the two great factions in English politics: the houses of Lancaster and York. Only the young Lord Talbot, locked in combat with the bewitching and enigmatic Joan of Arc, seems capable of redeeming a divided and dishonoured kingdom.
The plays which make up Shakespeare’s Henry VI create a world without ideology; a savage time, when the heroes are not kings, but formidable women, such as Joan of Arc, or rebels, such as Jack Cade.
Bold characterisation, black comedy, rhetorical power and, in the personality of Henry VI, touching pathos combine in Shakespeare’s powerful rendering of a country racked by civil war.
Shakespeare almost certainly did not set out to write a trilogy and may not even have written the three plays in chronological order. Each play can be enjoyed without knowledge of the others.
The cast includes Graham Butler: Henry VI, Simon Harrison: Richard/Charles the Dauphin, Beatriz Romilly: Joan of Arc/Duchess of Gloucester/Lady Grey, Mary Doherty: Queen Margaret and Gary Cooper: Duke of Gloucester.
Harry the Sixth
The plot begins with the death of King Henry V and his young son’s ascent to the throne as King Henry VI. The Duke of Gloucester serves as Lord Protector to guide and advise the young king through his early years. Meanwhile in France, Joan of Arc leads the French army in the fight against the English. A quarrel breaks out between Richard Plantagenet, of the House of York, and the Earl of Somerset, of the House of Lancaster. The young king intervenes and temporarily restores order by pledging his inheritance to the House of York. The king goes to Paris to be crowned in order to motivate the English and demoralise the French. The English capture Joan of Arc and Margaret of Anjou. Joan is burnt at the stake as a witch and a heretic. King Henry marries Margaret of Anjou at the urging of the Duke of Suffolk. The play ends with Suffolk gloating about how he will rule the king through Margaret, thereby seizing power for the House of Lancaster.
Wed 17 July, 7.45pm, Thu 18 July 2.30pm & Sat 20 July 12.30pm
The Houses of York & Lancaster
The young King Henry returns from his victory in France with his new bride, the ambitious and domineering Margaret of Anjou, who believes that she will be able to rule the young monarch. However, the Earl of Suffolk believes that he will be able to influence both of them. The noble Duke of Gloucester is horrified at the treaty that Suffolk has made with the French, which transfers the dukedoms of Anjou and Maine to the King of Naples, Margaret’s father. The King trusts Suffolk and rewards him with a Dukedom. The struggle for power between the Houses of York and Lancaster continues, with claims on both sides for the crown of England. The Wars of the Roses between the Lancastrians and the Yorkists begin.
Thu 18 July 7.45pm & Sat 20 July 4pm
The True Tragedy of the Duke of York
Richard, Duke of York, seizes the throne of England. However, when confronted by Henry he agrees to return the crown and leave the king in peace if his own family are named heirs to the throne. Queen Margaret is furious as her weak husband King Henry VI has thus disinherited their own son, Edward, Prince of Wales. The sons of York berate their father for not taking the throne for himself. York goes back on his agreement with King Henry and once again attempts to seize the crown and become King. The story reveals the fighting, treachery and the deaths that ensue. Edward, Duke of York, is proclaimed Edward IV. Warwick’s forces enter England and they capture the monarch and free Henry from the Tower of London and reinstall him as king. However, the meek man has had enough of Kingship and he asks Warwick and Clarence to rule jointly in his stead so that he may pursue a quiet life of prayer. Gloucester then returns to London and he stabs Henry. Edward is restored to the throne but Gloucester lies in waiting.
Henry VI, Three Plays
Wed 17 – Sat 20 Jul
Box Office 0844 871 7650*
www.atgtickets.com/brighton*
*Subject to booking fee
Tickets £15–£25
Click here for your chance to win tickets
