Henry V, performed by Shake on the Lake!

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Shake on the Lake returns for it’s 14th season of producing summer Shakespeare with HENRY V, directed by Chad Bradford. A cast of five brings Shakespeare’s classic tale of Prince Hal to life, on tour across WNY! This stop on their tour will be in Wellsville, NY, at the David A. Howe Public Library. If the weather cooperates, they will perform on the front lawn. In case of inclement weather, the performance will take place in the library’s Nancy Howe Auditorium.

“Let us…on your imaginary forces work.” This line from the Prologue of Henry V by William Shakespeare says it all: Shake on the Lake approaches staging these 400+ year old works through fast, fun, and physical spectacle by our stellar company of professional actors and designers!

Henry V is a story of a reluctant leader, one who is thrust into a position of power, rebels against it, but ultimately sees the importance of self-sacrifice for the people and the good of the nation. With the help of friends, foes, and ghosts from the past, including the comic knight, Sir John Falstaff, Henry V takes us on journey through English history against their bitter foe, France, culminating in Henry’s infamous St. Crispin’s Day speech before the historic Battle of Agincourt.

The Chorus, or ever-present narrative device of the play, lends this story to simple, performer-driven spectacle. We will embrace this idea of “imaginary forces” with our staging of this great history play, performed by five actors, doubling and tripling roles, enhanced by professional design elements. Henry V will be a theatrical tour de force.