Shakespeare’s epic eight play saga captures the cyclical nature of violence and history, while showcasing poignant domestic stories of families and their divided loyalties.
THE FOUR PLAYS OF THE KING’S SHADOW follow the troubled passing of the English crown from the philosopher King Richard II, to the conqueror King Henry IV, to his rogue son, Prince Hal. With his father's deeds looming over him, Hal indulges in a reckless adolescence that tarnishes his reputation. But when the time comes to rule, Hal must take control of how history will remember him, unite his country, and become the legendary King Henry V.
THE FOUR PLAYS OF THE QUEEN'S STORM dive headfirst into the ferocious conflict spawned by a cruelly bought peace. At Henry V’s death, the crown passes to his infant son King Henry VI and the English nobility fight over who will step into the power gap. Confronting the tempest is Margaret of Anjou, a princess from lands abroad who rises to become England’s queen. Faced with threats and treachery from every direction, Margaret’s is a tale of resilience, ambition and, finally, the very nature of evil, with the rise of Shakespeare’s most famous villain, King Richard III.
Shakespeare’s Histories began on stage in the fall of 2019. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic ended performances of The King’s Shadow early and resulted in the complete cancellation of The Queen’s Storm. In response, the company has spent the last three years reimagining their original theatrical work as audio dramas. We are thrilled to be able to share these stories with our audiences in this new format.
Shakespeare’s Histories is directed by Charlene V. Smith, the recording producer and editor is Patrick Flynn, with dramaturgy and additional directing by Marshall B Garrett, dramaturgy and additional directing by Claire Kimball, and dramaturgy by Liam Thomas Daley.
The acting company for Shakespeare’s Histories is Mikey Bannigan, Zach Brewster-Geisz, Jordan Brown, Dean Carlson, Jacqueline Chenault, Gary DuBreuil, Brianna Goode, Lisa Hill-Corley, Thomas Howley, Caroline Johnson, Brendan Edward Kennedy, Annette Mooney, Victoria Reinsel, Duane Richards II, Jillian Riti, Ian Blackwell Rogers, Nicole Ruthmarie, Charlene V. Smith, John Stange, Molly E. Thomas, and Joshua Williams.
The composer and music director is Jordan Friend. The dialect coach is Jenna Berk. The production manager for Shakespeare’s Histories is Lisa Hill-Corley. The stage manager is Jen Katz.
The audio recordings of Shakespeare’s Histories were made possible through funding from the Nora Roberts Foundation, the City of Alexandria, the Morgan Fund at the Seattle Foundation, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
CONTENT NOTE
These plays and our interpretation of them deal with the legacies of colonialism and imperialism. They contain depictions of racism, sexism, ableism, classism, fatphobia, non-consensual touch, interpersonal violence, murder, death, war, and physical and mental illness. Substance use portrayed includes drugs and alcohol. Sound effects include explosions and gunshots.
Learn more about Brave Spirits Theatre by visiting our website at www.bravespiritstheatre.com.
If you would like to make a monetary contribution to the artists who made Shakespeare's Histories, you can do so through Venmo to @Brave-Spirits.