Henry IV Part 2: Poster Evolution

Posted on by Thor

The Henry IV Part 2 poster is meant to fit in with the designs set up for the Fire and Reign series, a seven Shakespeare production journey through history over three seasons covering the Rise of Henry V and the Wars of the Roses, from Richard II – Richard III.

The Bare Bard signature series was well established. I started my poster design journey simply by using sketches I had done of the prior production, Henry IV Part 1. The watercolor drawing done on location couldn’t be too far off from how the Part 2 production might look.

Center stage was a wooden tavern table that resembled any picnic table, with the plump Falsaf seated center stage. Being a watercolor it didn’t tie in well with the other art I painted for the season’s posters. My other thought was that Falsaf was rather small since I had sketched the entire set. When drawing on location I am always trying to capture as much of the scene as I can.


My next thought was to simply zoom in on the same sketch. This however was still too distant to the action at center stage. Jim Helsinger offered to get me photos from the production and that allowed me to piece together a more intricate panting with actual cast members. Philip Nolan as Sir John Falsaf,  Anne Hering as Mistress Quickly, and Brandon Roberts as Bardolph would all repeat their rolls in Part 2.

I looked a medieval manor interiors for the setting for the scene. Merriment and plenty of liquor were the theme for the final poster.

William Shakespeare was super-productive when the plague shut down his theaters.  In Shakespeare’s day the theater was the central hub of connectivity. Shakespeare’s Venus and Adonis, Lucrece, Titus Andronicus, and Henry VI, Part 2 were all published in 1593 and 1594. Once Shakespeare’s theaters reopened, audiences returned to see the companies that survived. So Henry VI, Part 2 is a plague inspired production, now being presented during a lull in the pandemic.

Tickets range from $22 to $33. The play is a fun Shakespearean romp, I wouldn’t miss it. Tickets range from $22 to $33. The play runs through April 24, 2022.

Henry IV Part 2 at the Shakes

Posted on by Thor

Pam and I went to a dress rehearsal for Henry IV Part 2. This is part of Orlando Shakes’ Fire and Reign series, a seven Shakespeare production journey through history over three seasons covering the Rise of Henry V and the Wars of the Roses, from Richard II – Richard III.

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” William Shakespeare’s story of burnt bridges and growing pains stripped is down to a lively, raw, rambunctious performance, like nothing you’ve experienced before. Orlando Shakes’ actors will tackle Henry IV, Part 2 with less than 40 hours of rehearsal, no designers, and no director – just like the acting companies of Shakespeare’s time!

Actors blocked out the scenes themselves and selected their own costumes. Ned Averill Snell as the Gower wore a Rolling Stones T Shirt along with his medieval costuming. Philip Nolen as Falstaf chose to wear a bright red Santa suit. Brandon Roberts as Bardolph wore light blue sneakers.

Prior to the official start of the run Benjamin Bonenfant as Prince Hal and Lauren Culver ran through some lines. They jostled and joked and surprised each other as they hastily rehearsed the scene. Laughter in the scene mixed mixed with the laughter of their surprising each other as they performed. There is a real joy in this sort of anything goes attitude that made for a very fun production.

Masks are optional at the Shakes. Thankfully all staff seated in the audience wore masks as did we, but actors who are tested regularly performed without masks. When Henry IV stood hacking up a lung for minutes at a time center stage, the performance seemed too convincing during a pandemic. Overall it was a delightful and fun performance. This play is less about war and more about the father son relationship as the young prince moves away from deadbeat, carousing friends, like Falstaf who steer him wrong.

12th Annual John R. Hamilton Mock Trial: The Crown v. Falstaff

Posted on by Thor

Falstaff was put on trial at the Orlando Shakes, (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803).  He is a disreputable an rather rotund character in Shakespeare‘s Henry IV. The judges in this trial were to be Alisa Smith, Chair of the Department of Legal Studies at the University of Central Florida, Judge Frederick Lauten, former Chief Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit for Orange and Osceola Counties, and Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel Columnist. When introduced, Judge Lauten did an admirable and hilarious job of disinfecting his fellow judges and the entire judging area.

Hosted
by the Bard’s Board Barristers, the Margeson Theater was transformed
into a hilarious, interactive courtroom. Actors from Orlando Shakes’
production of Henry IV, Part 1 took the unpredictability of live theater to a whole new level in an
over-the-top, rollicking trial amidst the panel of celebrity judges.

To start Falstaff recounted his heroic fight with some highwaymen who robbed him of the loot he had just hoisted himself. He brandished his sword recreating his every movement in the battle that ensued. With each telling the number of foes he had fought off grew. Then a cloaked figure read off the litany of charges against Falstaff which included larceny, robbery, thievery, lewd and lascivious behavior, public drunkenness, foul oderocity fraud, deceit, embezzlement, false accusations, abuse of power, obstruction of justice, impersonating the king, conspiracy and four counts of claim to murder. The list was hilariously long.

The trial itself began with Darth Vader as the prosecutor and Princess Leia as the defense attorney. Light sabers replaced the more timely swords. During the trial Falstaff got to discuss how honor has no place on a battlefield. The funniest moments came when Bardolph, Falsaff’s side kick was put on the stand to testify. He was incredibly drunk and a very easy witness to sway.

In the end the entire audience was the jury and after our jury instructions, we had to vote on Falstaff’s guilt or innocence. We had to raise out hands and make a guttural Wookiee call when we voted. Despite his clear guilt on many of the counts, he was an important character in the upcoming play, Henry IV Part 2. I voted to acquit, but the final decision was not clear based on the the noise in the theater. Chaos was breaking out. Then Falsaff bounded center stage and shouted, “I have been pardoned!” He ran off stage to murderous applause.