Donmar Trilogy: Henry IV

who owns Shakespeare?

Harriet Walter stars in this second of Phyllida Lloyd's all-female adaptation of Shakespeare for the Donmar Trilogy, playing in rep alongside Julius Caeser and The Tempest at a brand new 420 seat theatre-in-the-round at King's Cross. Set in a women's prison, Walter plays the arrogant but afraid Henry IV, capturing the world-weary troubles of the usurper expertly.

WHAT MAKES A FATHER?

Looking beyond gender, this Henry IV focuses on the ubiquity of the power struggle and the universality of duty, family & country. Troubled by the removal of King Richard III, Henry IV finds difficulty in securing his claim to the throne. With rebellion growing from those factions that put him on the throne in the first place, an errant son carousing with degenerates, all actions lead toward battle. Shakespeare offers us a story behind the scenes of the early days of the British Monarchy, and the lengths men were prepared to go to wield power.

As one of Britain's most esteemed female director/playwrights, Lloyd is no stranger to working with the Donmar Warehouse on productions including Henry IV, Julius Caesar, Boston Marriage, The Threepenny Opera and Mary Stuart. She has also found success in Hollywood with hit films starring Meryl Streep including with The Iron Lady and Mamma Mia.

Click on the link to buy tickets for Julius Caesar

Click on the link to buy tickets for The Tempest