Award-winning theatre company stage production of Henry V at Norwich Cathedral
Award-winning theatre company Antic Disposition are bringing their production of Henry V to Norwich Cathedral. Picture: Scott Rylander - Credit: Scott Rylander 2016
British and French actors pay tribute to First World War soldiers in reimagining set in a French military hospital.
In 2015, award-winning theatre company Antic Disposition celebrated the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt, the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare and the 100th Anniversary Battle of Loos in Northern France with a production of Henry V.
Two years later and they are back with a cathedral tour of the Bard's celebrated history play that brings them to Norwich Cathedral this weekend.
Marking the ongoing centenary of the First World War, Antic Disposition's reimagining is set in a French military hospital in 1915 – 500 years after the Battle of Agincourt where two groups of wounded soldiers, one French and one British, decide to raise their spirits by staging a production of Henry V.
Moving effortlessly between 1415 and 1915, Antic Disposition's Henry V combines Shakespeare's epic history play with original songs and live music inspired by the poetry of A E Housman, in a powerful tribute to the young soldiers caught up in conflicts five centuries apart.
You may also want to watch:
It is being performed by British and French actors and is a tribute to young soldiers caught up in conflicts five centuries apart as well as a celebration of the rich and often turbulent relationship between the two nations, from the 100 Years War to the Entente Cordiale.
Antic Disposition was founded in 2005 by director Ben Horslen and director/designer John Risebero. The award-winning company presents innovative and entertaining interpretations of classic plays and stories, with a particular emphasis on the works of Shakespeare.
Most Read
- 1 Norwich sees biggest rise in Covid infection rates in the country
- 2 Hotel 'nobody wants to buy' for sale as housing for £365,000
- 3 Builder took pink pill and ran naked around hotel
- 4 Man who died in west Norfolk crash named
- 5 Nine Norfolk flood alerts ahead of Storm Christoph
- 6 Man who drove 128 miles for fish and chips among latest Covid fines
- 7 Going full term during this coronavirus pandemic fills me with absolute terror
- 8 Vandals leave £80,000 trail of destruction in car park
- 9 Carer caught on CCTV letting dog scratch vulnerable pensioner
- 10 PM warns there will be no 'open sesame' lockdown exit
The company has earned a strong reputation and much critical acclaim for its high quality, visually striking productions presented in historic buildings and unusual non-theatre spaces.
Recent productions include The Comedy of Errors in London's Gray's Inn Hall, location of the play's first recorded performance in 1594; Romeo and Juliet in the 12th-century Temple Church; and A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest in the spectacular Elizabethan setting of Middle Temple Hall.
They have already presented their moving adaptation of Henry V in France, along with two London runs, and a very special performance in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, burial place of William Shakespeare.
This latest tour has already seen them stage the play in Southwark Cathedral in London, Ripon, Lincoln, Peterborough and Ely catherdals, as well as Beverley and Southwell Minsters.
Directors Ben Horslen and John Risebero said: 'Henry V is a project close to our hearts. In this First World War centenary year, we're delighted to be sharing the production, and the company's work, with new audiences, and honoured to be performing in some of the most remarkable medieval buildings in the country.'
• Henry V, Norwich Cathedral, February 18, 7.30pm, £35-£25, £15 under-18s, 0333 6663366, www.cathedral.org.uk