04-08-2025
We Few, We Happy Few, We Band Of Brothers…
A kingdom divided, a throne contested, and a war that will shape the fate of a nation - Henry V storms onto the Wellington stage in a bold, high energy production from Shakespeare's North Productions. An electrifying exploration of leadership, ambition, and the price of victory, Henry V is a gripping tale of power, politics, and the human cost of war.
With only ten dynamic performers, Shakespeare's North Productions - an award-winning young theatre company founded by Eli Hancock and produced by Gabby Clark - tackles one of the Bard's most exhilarating histories. This is Henry V like never before: stripped back, sharp, and driven by the raw intensity of Shakespeare's text. Expect fast-paced storytelling, immersive staging, and a production that puts the audience at the heart of the battle.
Directed and co-produced by Eli Hancock, this Henry V brings fresh urgency to Shakespeare's epic. Hancock, who performed at London's Globe Theatre in 2023 as part of the SGCNZ New Zealand Young Shakespeare Company, has built Shakespeare's North Productions from the ground up with a commitment to making classical theatre thrilling and immediate. With sold-out seasons, award nominations, and a growing reputation for bold and innovative Shakespeare, the company's work continues to push boundaries. Now, they take on Henry V with an intensity that will have audiences on the edge of their seats.
Featuring a cast of ten actors from a range of ages and backgrounds, this production distills the sweeping scope of Henry V into a fast-moving, high-impact experience. With performers doubling roles and driving the action through dynamic movement, striking visuals, and razor-sharp storytelling, this Henry V strips away excess and hones in on the play's core themes of leadership, loyalty, and sacrifice. The result? A theatrical experience in 90 minutes that is urgent, gripping, and deeply human.
Victory is never without cost. As Henry rallies his outnumbered soldiers against the might of France, the play asks what it truly means to be a leader and what is sacrificed in the pursuit of power. The production highlights the camaraderie of soldiers, the fire of Henry's rhetoric, and the harsh realities of war - all in a way that speaks directly to modern audiences.
With its signature audience engagement, bold aesthetic, and a commitment to making Shakespeare accessible and exhilarating, this Henry V is not just a play - it's a call to arms.
Don't miss your chance to join the battle. Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'
The Life of Henry V
24th - 29th August 2025
BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington
