Gripping Shakespeare at home at The Globe

The Houses of York and Lancaster is the second part in the trilogy of plays which make up Shakespeare's Henry VI. Nick Bagnall directs in an ambitious project which sees him revive the entire trilogy in a series at Shakespeare's Globe. One of the lesser performed works in Shakespeare's canon, Bagnall has sought to find a new audience for these characters: they exhibit the complex personalities and conflicting values and motives for which Shakespeare has come to be celebrated.

Shakespeare's Globe on the south bank of the Thames couldn't be more appropriate a venue: given that this series sees these plays performed under their original titles, authenticity is a theme which is reciprocated in the enchanting reconstruction of Shakespeare's old haunt.

What is this play about?

The trilogy takes place after the events of Shakespeare's Henry V, in which King Henry has covered himself in glory after unifying the United Kingdom and subjugating France. However things have gone awry, and this installment sees the self-serving Richard, of House York tighten his grip around the will of callow King Henry VI. Meanwhile the quick-witted and charismatic Jack Cade leads the rebellion from Kent, with the full support of the people. Characters both noble and lowly are pitted against each other in this tale which exhibits a young Bard honing his innate knack for the telling of a ripping yarn.