King Henry IV’s reign has been rife with conflict from the very beginning, which is not surprising given that he usurped the throne from Richard II. Now, even friends have become enemies as conflict between the King and his former supporters grows. To make matters worse, the King’s son seems disinclined to rule, frequenting the taverns and brothels of London with his friend Sir John Falstaff. Family drama and political intrigue intertwine to make way for a new ruler, and as unrest grows and conflict bubbles, England dares to ask: who has the right to wear the crown?An all-BIPOC company gathers for this epic tale of a polarized nation, a combined adaptation of both parts of Henry IV in a follow up to Drum and Colours from winter 2022.

Content Advisories: This show includes content that may be distressing. Below are some particular warnings, but if you have any further questions, please email marketing@seattleshakespeare.org and we’ll be happy to provide additional information. This show contains: violence, blood, gore, murder, fatphobia, flashing/strobe lights, fog

RUN TIME: 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission

What is Drum and Colours?

Henry IV is a continuation of the Drum and Colours project that was first launched in winter of 2022 with presentations of Hamlet and As You Like It in repertory. Furthering the work of previous projects like the Shakespeare Equity Engagement program (SEE) and the Holding Space project, Drum and Colours aims to meet the community’s needs with an all-BIPOC company with 360-degree representation, including actors, directors, and production team. It explores BIPOC company members’ personal connections to the classics and sheds new light on familiar works. SSC believes that art that is open—to adaptation, interpretation, and the recognition of the wonderful vastness of the human experience—is stronger and more long-lasting than art which ignores that complexity.

PRODUCTION

S Franco (Director/Lighting Design), Lamar Legend (Lead Adaptor), Parmida Ziaei (Scenic Designer), Taya Pyne (Costume Designer), Fernando Rocha (Lighting Design Concept), Stephon Dorsey (Sound Designer), Bella Rivera (Props Designer), Francesca Belancourt (Intimacy Director), Beth Pollack (Dramaturgy), Rachael Uyeno (Fight Choreographer), Stefan Richmond (Movement Choreographer), Gin Hammond (Text), Leila Cheung (Stage Manager), Anahita Sepehri (Assistant Stage Manager)

CAST

Jesse Calixto (Falstaff/Glendower), Rhys Daly (Hal), Rachel Guyer-Mafune (Poins/Lancaster), Janet Hayatshahi (Northumberland/Westmoreland/Mistress Quickly), Kathy Hsieh (Henry IV), Sara Porkalob (Hotspur/Archbishop of York), Darius Sakui (Douglas/Doll/Warwick), Ayo Tushinde (Blunt/Pistol/Vernon/Hastings), Bob Williams (Worcester/Mowbray), Pilar O’Connell (Understudy), Malex Reed (Understudy)

PRODUCTION PHOTOS