Opening next month, the first production in Bell Shakespeare’s 35th anniversary season is a new contemporary staging of Henry 5. Starring in the production is dynamic newcomer JK Kazzi in his highly anticipated main stage theatre debut. Celebrated theatre maker and former Associate Artistic Director of Bell Shakespeare Marion Potts (Othello, Hamlet) returns to the company after 15 years to direct.
One of Shakespeare’s most famous history plays, Henry 5 will be presented at Sydney Opera House from 1 March – 5 April 2025. It will then run at Canberra Theatre Centre from 10 – 20 April 2025 and Arts Centre Melbourne from 11 – 25 May 2025.
At the heart of the production is the diverse young cast, with several making their main stage theatre debut. They include JK Kazzi, Jack Halabi (Dauphin), Alex Kirwan (Westmoreland) and Harrison Mills (Michael Williams).
Joining them are Odile le Clézio, Ava Madon, Ella Prince, Mararo Wangai, Jo Turner, Rishab Kern and Ziggy Resnick.
In Henry 5, young Prince Hal has left his wayward adolescence behind and assumed the mantle of kingship. Following an insult by the French prince, King Henry launches England into a war with France to claim the throne he believes is rightfully his. Against all odds, he leads his troops from despair to climactic victory at the Battle of Agincourt.
Potts lends a female perspective to this story centred on young men going to war, written by a male playwright and most often the domain of male directors. The play explores themes of masculine bravery and heroism, which Potts approaches with nuance, exposing the complexities of the characters and questioning the costs of war as Henry is hailed a warrior and a hero.
Director Marion Potts said:
“I’m excited to return to Bell Shakespeare – it’s always a privilege to be able to work at scale, with writing that is complex and open to exploration. Like all of Shakespeare’s writing, Henry 5 is so rich that it resonates differently for audiences at different times and under different circumstances. Our production brings Henry 5 squarely into the world we currently live in, cracking open questions about how we look at conflict and tell the story of ‘heroism’. Ultimately it will question how we navigate different truths with compassion and fairness. It’s pretty topical.
“Young men inherit such strong expectations about masculinity and their role as ‘men’. I’m fascinated by these pressures, and by the humanity at the very core of the play, where people are trying to make choices between the very best and very worst of what we’re capable of.”
The creative team is made up of Anna Tregloan (Set and Costume Designer), Jethro Woodward (Composer and Sound Designer), Verity Hampson (Lighting Designer) and Jack Starkey-Gill (Voice Director).
Henry 5 runs from 1 March – 5 April at Sydney Opera House, then transfers to Canberra in April and Melbourne in May 2025.
Sydney: Previews 1 – 4 March, season 5 March – 5 April, Sydney Opera House
Canberra: Preview 10 April, season 11 – 20 April, Canberra Theatre Centre
Melbourne: Previews 11 – 13 May, season 14 – 25 May, Arts Centre Melbourne
Tickets: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/bell-shakespeare/2025-season/henry-v
Website: https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/bellshakespeare/
| Cast: JK Kazzi King Henry Odile le Clézio Alice/Ensemble Jack Halabi Dauphin/Ensemble Alex Kirwan Westmoreland/Ensemble Ava Madon Katherine/Ensemble Harrison Mills Michael Williams/Scroop Ella Prince Exeter/Ensemble Jo Turner King of France/Ensemble Mararo Wangai Montjoy/Ensemble Rishab Kern Grey/English Soldier/Understudy Ziggy Resnick Grey/English Soldier/Understudy Creatives Director Marion Potts Set and Costume Designer Anna Tregloan Composer and Sound Designer Jethro Woodward Lighting Designer Verity Hampson Voice Director Jack Starkey-Gill |
About Bell Shakespeare:
Bell Shakespeare is Australia’s national theatre company specialising in the works of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Founded in 1990 with the aim of sharing Shakespeare’s plays in a way that was relevant and exciting to all Australians, the company has evolved further than its visionary founder, John Bell AO, could have hoped.
Today, Bell Shakespeare tours major theatre productions, education programs and outreach initiatives to every state and territory in Australia. Performing and teaching in theatres, schools, juvenile justice centres and regional and remote communities, the company enjoys unrivalled reach and impact, further extending its influence through innovative digital programs.
Leave a Reply