An all-female cast will be putting on an interactive, fun and immersive production of William Shakespeare’s Henry V this weekend.
The drama students at Monmouth School for Girls are working hard with producer Mr Simon Riordan, the school’s new Theatre Director in Residence, in preparation for the two-night show.
The play, which has an interval, will take place in the main hall at the school on Friday 31st January and Saturday 1st February, both from 7.30pm to 9.15pm.
“The girls will be performing some of the most iconic speeches in Shakespeare’s canon and in Henry V’s own hometown of Monmouth,” said Mr Riordan.
“The production will show the students performing scenes, speaking in French, singing and playing instruments with the audience taking on some roles too.
“The cast will be surrounded by audience members on either side of the stage, so it will be very interactive with lots of surprises and plenty of laughs.”
The school’s Head of Dance, Ms Rhyan Parry, is choreographing routines with 17 pupils from the Year 7 physical theatre ensemble group and dance scholars Emma and Tabitha.
Carys, who gained a major part in the Welsh National Opera youth opera production of Brundibár last summer, is playing the role of Henry V.
Carys has been a pupil at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools since nursery and is studying Music, German and English Literature at A level.
Ella, who has landed a part in the second series of The Spanish Princess, a television drama based on the early life of Catherine of Aragon, is playing Chorus and Exeter.
Ella is an aspiring actress who is hoping to continue her studies at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Eleven-year-old Dilys, a pupil in Year 7, is playing the roles of The Archbishop of Canterbury and Captain Jamy.
She said: “Henry V was born in Monmouth so the production means a lot to all of the cast members and we have had so much fun in rehearsals learning our lines.
“You don’t need to be a fan of Shakespeare to enjoy Henry V because the play is easy to understand with some very hilarious bits.
“We have all had such a brilliant time in rehearsals with Mr Riordan and it’s his first production since he’s been with the school, so it feels special.
“There will be roles for the audience to play too – and this will definitely add to the enjoyment and the overall spectacle.”
Tickets range from £6 to £10.
Cast
- Henry V – Carys
- Gloucester/Constable – Rosie
- Pistol/Bedford – Ffion
- Chorus/Exeter – Ella
- Nym, Macmorris/King Charles VI of France – Amy
- Williams/Katharine/Montjoy – Amelia
- Dauphin/Le Fer – Willow
- Bardolph/Bates/Salisbury/Queen Isabel of France – Milly
- The Archbishop of Canterbury/Captain Jamy – Dilys
- Boy – Anwen
- Alice – Grace
- Hostess/Fluellen – Seren
- Sir Thomas Eppingham/Burgundy – Alice
