Henry IV

Kin and Kingdom. In a divided country, King Henry IV must defend his rule from enemies both at home and abroad. War looms on the horizon while the King’s son, Prince Hal, frequents the taverns and brothels of London, delighting in the company of his friend, the infamous Sir John Falstaff. With the kingdom under threat, will Hal step up to take on his duties to country and family? The fate of a nation and an ancestral legacy hang in the balance as a reckless son learns what it takes to become a true leader.

Revelry and Battles. Following up on the thrilling Shakespeare: Drum and Colours pairing from winter 2022, an all-POC company gathers for this tale of a polarized nation. Featuring some of Shakespeare’s most enduring and endearing characters, this political epic also tells an intimate family story. The company of artists will transport you from the court to the tavern to the battlefield with laughter, poetry, and drama throughout.

A Play to Meet the Moment. It will be 15 years since Seattle Shakespeare has visited this rich drama with an indoor production, but the time for it is now. Its themes of responsibility to family and country, questions of legitimate rule, and the voice of the common person needing to be heard against a grand political change echo in our own contemporary moment.