Cinema Nouveau announces the exclusive screening of the second production from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), in collaboration with Picturehouse Entertainment. The company’s acclaimed production of Henry IV Part 1 releases on Saturday, 21 June, for limited screenings at Cinema Nouveau theatres and select Ster-Kinekor cinemas countrywide.

The filmed version of the live stage production has four screenings in South Africa, from Saturday, 21 June 2014, at Cinema Nouveau Rosebank Mall in Johannesburg, Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria, Gateway in Durban and V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, as well as the following select Ster-Kinekor cinemas: Somerset Mall in Somerset West, Garden Route Mall in George and Bedford Centre in Johannesburg.

Following his production of Richard II in October 2013, RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran continues his exploration of Shakespeare’s history plays with Henry IV Parts I and II, an epic, comic and thrilling vision of a nation in turmoil.

RSC Associate Artist, South African-born Antony Sher, returns to the Company to play the infamous comic knight Falstaff. He is joined by Jasper Britton as Henry IV and Alex Hassell as Prince Hal. Jasper returns following his performances in The Taming of the Shrew/The Tamer Tamed (2003). Alex returns to the RSC following his recent credits in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cardenio and The City Madam (2011).

The supporting cast of Henry IV Part I includes: Elliot Barnes-Worrell (Prince John/ Francis); Martin Bassindale (Peto); Antony Byrne (Worcester); Sean Chapman (Northumberland/Earl of Douglas); Paola Dionisotti (Mistress Quickly); Jonny Glynn (Gadshill); Nia Gwynne (Lady Mortimer); Jim Hooper (Sir Richard Vernon); Youssef Kerkour (Westmoreland); Sam Marks (Poins); Keith Osborn (Scroop); Leigh Quinn (Traveller); Joshua Richards (Bardolph/Glendower);Simon Thorp (Sir Walter Blunt); Trevor White (Hotspur) and Simon Yadoo (Chamberlain).

Several of the cast and all of the creative team for this production were also part of Doran’s recent successful production of Richard II. The production is designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis with lighting by Tim Mitchell. The music is composed by Paul Englishby with sound by Martin Slavin. The Movement director is Mike Ashcroft and the Fight director is Terry King.

With his crown under threat from enemies both foreign and domestic, Henry IV prepares for war. Having deposed the previous king, he is only too aware of the tenuousness of his position, and of the price to be paid if he falters. As his father prepares to defend his crown, Prince Hal is languishing in the taverns and brothels of London, revelling in the company of his friend, the notorious Sir John Falstaff. With the onset of the war, Hal and Falstaff are thrust into the brutal reality of the battlefield, where Hal must confront his responsibilities to family and throne.

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