HALFWAY through its 20-year mission to present every known play by Shakespeare, York Shakespeare Project has embarked on its most ambitious productions so far.
The company is performing Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 in a disused medieval church in the city.
Playing Prince Hall is Christopher Laishley, who recently won a scholarship from The Stage newspaper to study at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
The two plays, which tell one continuous story, are being performed in repertory in the Church of St Martin-cum- Gregory, in Micklegate. This is the first time the church has been used for theatrical performances and the producers feel “the beautiful, atmospheric venue provides the perfect backdrop for plays dealing with one of the most exciting periods in English history”.
The plays have a number of specific associations with York.
Archbishop Scroop, who was executed at Clementhorpe then buried in the Minster, is a major character.
It’s said that a Percy family vault exists under St Denys’ Church, in Walmgate, where parts of Harry Hotspur may be buried. His head was certainly put on Micklegate Bar after the Battle of Shrewsbury – only a stone’s throw away from where the production will be performed.
The York Shakespeare Project aims to present the Bard of Avon’s plays roughly in the order in which they may have been written. The aim is to show that Shakespeare is relevant and accessible to all.
The current production has a cast of 22, a mixture of people who’ve performed in the group before, as well as newcomers.
Director Tom Cooper has worked professionally as a director around the UK for ten years since graduating from York University. Morag Galloway, a PhD student at the university, is composing a folk music-infused soundscape which underscores both plays.
Paul Toy is staging the sword fights and costumes are by Zoe Groves, who costumed the project’s Henry VI.
■ The production debuts tonight with Henry IV Part One.
Tickets £10 for one play (£7.50 concessions) and £18 for two plays (£14 concessions) from York Theatre Royal box office on 01904-623568 or online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
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