Shakespeare by the Sea is holding its 22nd season with stagings of “Henry V” in outdoor locations throughout Los Angeles, including an installment on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m., in Pan Pacific Park.
Ovation Award winner Stephanie Coltrin directs the historical play focusing on events immediately before and after the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years’ War. Desperate to unite his kingdom, King Henry gets church approval to attack France. After a plot to dethrone him is discovered and the traitors are executed, Henry and his army win an important siege and his army continues its march toward Agincourt. When the French herald is sent to Henry to surrender, Henry refuses. On the eve of battle, Henry walks through the English camp in disguise, learning that some are critical of the battle plan. Severely outnumbered, he gives an inspiring speech and the battle begins.
“In ‘Henry IV Part 2,’ Henry says ‘presume not that I am the thing I was.’ In this play, he has to overcome his reputation as a reckless prince and the long shadow cast by his father’s usurpation of the throne,” Coltrin said. “Haunted by plotting from within and threats from without, he faces the question of how to unite his kingdom, and discovers that leadership comes with unforeseen burdens. Filled with both stirring patriotism and astounding overreach, we ask ourselves if Henry is truly a pious leader with the courage of his convictions, or is he a ruthless despot?”
Admission is free. Pan Pacific Park is located at 7600 Beverly Blvd. For information, visit shakespearebythesea.org.
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