Upcoming Shows
Henry IV, Part I
May 21-31 at the Green Room Theatre
Shakespeare’s most thrilling coming-of-age story bursts to life this summer. In Henry IV, Part 1, young Prince Hal wastes his nights in taverns with the outrageous Sir John Falstaff and a band of rogues—while rebellion brews against his father’s crown. But the time soon comes when Hal must leave behind his reckless companions, confront the fiery Hotspur on the battlefield, and prove himself worthy of the throne. By turns riotously funny and deeply stirring, this play explores honor, loyalty, and the painful but necessary path from youth to responsibility. It’s the story of a prince who must decide what kind of man—and what kind of king—he will become. Directed by Justin Hopkins.
Richard II: An Encore Reader's Theatre Presentation
May 30 at the Green Room Theatre
LST presents this encore Reader’s Theatre production of Richard II, now in conjunction with its first fully staged History Play, Henry IV, Pt 1! Directed by Shakespeare scholar Dr. Justin Hopkins and performed by a cast of Lancaster Shakespeare royalty, this intimate staging brings to life one of the Bard’s most lyrical and politically charged plays. At its heart is the fall of King Richard II, a monarch whose divine right to rule is challenged by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke. As Richard is deposed and Bolingbroke rises to become Henry IV, Shakespeare weaves a story of power, betrayal, and the fragile nature of kingship. Filled with poetry of rare beauty and insight, Richard II examines what happens when a ruler loses both his crown and his sense of identity.