Ambition reigns in Bard revamp

One of the most ambitious productions ever presented by Playbox Theatre takes to the stage next week.
Eva O'Hara from Leamington as Somerset, India Wellman from Warwick as Gloucester and Flora Garner from Leamington as Exeter in Games and ThronesEva O'Hara from Leamington as Somerset, India Wellman from Warwick as Gloucester and Flora Garner from Leamington as Exeter in Games and Thrones
Eva O'Hara from Leamington as Somerset, India Wellman from Warwick as Gloucester and Flora Garner from Leamington as Exeter in Games and Thrones

Some 36 youngsters are taking part in Games and Thrones, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s three Henry VI plays – and will be joined by a familiar voice.

The action in these rarely performed early works of the Bard spans 50 years of some of the bloodiest and most violent times seen in Britain. The Wars of the Roses had fathers fighting against sons and neighbour pitted against neighbour, struggles for power and politics in its rawest and most vicious manifestation.

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Games and Thrones – Henry Vl opens for two weeks of performances at the Dream Factory in Shelley Avenue, Warwick, Saturday April 23, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. It will also be performed at St Mary’s church in Warwick, from Thursday May 19 to Saturday May 21

And in a coup for Playbox Theatre, the popular BBC 2 Newsnight anchor Evan Davis has recorded a reporter’s voice–over for the production.

Playbox director Emily Quash said: “We are undertaking one of the most ambitious projects ever by a UK young people’s theatre company.

“We approached Evan Davis for the voice-overs as we wanted an authoritative and trusted voice to report on York and Lancaster throughout the action of the play.”

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The production promises to “immerse” the audience, who will be asked which side they support and which contender for the throne gets their backing.

The show takes place at the Dream Factory at 7pm on SaturdayApril 23, Friday April 29 and Saturday April 30.

Standards tickets cost £15, with concessions £10.

Call 419555 or visit www.playboxtheatre.com to book.

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