RSC Histories

The RSC Histories run at the Roundhouse has now sold out. Sometimes we get tickets returned on the day of a performance - please phone the box office on 0844 482 8008 after 1pm on the day for more information.

Eight plays, charting 100 years of English history, dramatised by the world’s greatest playwright. 

In February 2006, the actors of the RSC Histories Ensemble joined Artistic Director Michael Boyd’s creative team of directors, designers, musicians and theatre practitioners from every discipline to embark on an extraordinary two-year ensemble project to stage Shakespeare’s epic history cycle of eight plays. 

Shakespeare’s plays chart over a century of turbulent English history, from the usurpation of Richard II and Henry V’s glorious victory at Agincourt, to the bloody chaos of the Wars of the Roses and their brutal climax on Bosworth Field. They contain some of the best loved and most infamous characters and scenes ever written for the stage - from Falstaff holding riotous court in Eastcheap, to Henry V on the eve of battle and Richard III plotting his murderous ascent to power. 

This once in a lifetime cycle now reaches its climax at the Roundhouse promising a unique theatrical experience in one of London’s most iconic venues.

 RICHARD II,  HENRY IV PARTS I & II,  HENRY VHENRY VI PARTS I, II & III, RICHARD III by  William Shakespeare 

*****‘Exceptional…If ever there was a time to see Henry VI – or any one of its parts – it is now’ Sunday Telegraph 

**** ‘The most imaginative Shakespeare staging of this millennium’ Financial Times

 **** ‘A remarkable Richard II’ Financial Times
****  ‘The RSC is making a triumphant return to its roots’ Sunday Times 

***** ‘Hellishly impressive’ Daily Mail  

‘A virtuoso ensemble piece’ Observer

Click here for a pdf calendar of the performances.


 

Richard II

Tue 1st Apr 2008 - Thu 22nd May 2008

The Royal Shakespeare Company presents Richard II, presiding over a divided court, his vanity and favouritism fuelling increasing tension amongst the nobility.

Henry IV Part I

Thu 3rd Apr 2008 - Fri 23rd May 2008

The Royal Shakespeare Company present Henry IV Part I, the first part of the tale about Henry Bolingbroke.

Henry IV Part II

Sat 5th Apr 2008 - Fri 23rd May 2008

The Royal Shakespeare Company present Henry IV Part II, the second part of the tale about Henry Bolingbroke.

Henry V

Tue 8th Apr 2008 - Fri 23rd May 2008

The Royal Shakespeare Company presents Henry V - about the young, restless and ambitious king.

Cold Lunch Box

Wed 16th Apr 2008 - Sat 24th May 2008

Cold Lunch Box: £6 per person. Only available before Trilogy matinee performances

Hot Dinner Box

Wed 16th Apr 2008 - Sat 24th May 2008

Hot Dinner Box: £7 per person. Only available before Trilogy evening performances

Henry VI Part I

Sat 19th Apr 2008 - Sat 24th May 2008

Civil strife, bloody battles and power struggles provide the backdrop for The Royal Shakespeare Company's compelling depiction of a divided nation and a king in turmoil.

Henry VI Part II

Tue 22nd Apr 2008 - Sat 24th May 2008

The Royal Shakespeare Company's Henry VI Part II charts the anarchic uprising against the king.

Henry VI Part III

Thu 24th Apr 2008 - Sat 24th May 2008

The Royal Shakespeare Company's Henry VI charts the downfall of the king as fathers kill sons and sons kill fathers.

Richard III

Sat 26th Apr 2008 - Sun 25th May 2008

The Royal Shakespeare Company presents Shakespeare’s most notorious monarch who manipulates, seduces and butchers his way to the throne.

THE ENGLAND DEBATE:

Sun 18th May 2008

A stimulating debate based around the theme of Shakespeare and National Identity.

For more information on the Histories and to read actors blogs, watch video clips, or learn more about the RSC click here

To view the seating plan, please click here.

Click here to see a time lapse video of the RSC transforming the Roundhouse Main Space.

HISTORIES ENSEMBLE

ACTING COMPANY

NICHOLAS ASBURY, HANNAH BARRIE, KEITH BARTLETT, MAUREEN BEATTIE, ANTONY BUNSEE, ROB CARROLL, RICHARD CORDERY, MATT COSTAIN, JULIUS D’SILVA, KEITH DUNPHY, WELA FRASIER, GEOFFREY FRESHWATER, PAUL HAMILTON, ALEXIA HEALY, KIERAN HILL, TOM HODGKINS, CHUK IWUJI, JOHN MACKAY, FORBES MASSON, CHRIS McGILL, PATRICE NAIAMBANA, LUKE NEAL, SANDY NEILSON, ANN OGBOMO, MILES RICHARDSON, LEX SHRAPNEL, ANTHONY SHUSTER, JONATHAN SLINGER, KATY STEPHENS, GEOFFREY STREATFEILD, JAMES TUCKER, DAVID WARNER, ROGER WATKINS, CLIVE WOOD 

DIRECTOR MICHAEL BOYD, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AND DIRECTOR HENRY IV PART II RICHARD TWYMAN, DESIGNER TOM PIPER, COSTUME DESIGNER HENRY IV PARTS I & II EMMA WILLIAMS, COSTUME DESIGNERS HENRY V TOM PIPER & EMMA WILLIAMS, LIGHTING HEATHER CARSON, MUSIC JAMES JONES & JOHN WOOLF, MOVEMENT LIZ RANKEN, SOUND ANDREA J. COX, FIGHTS TERRY KING, DIRECTOR OF ROPEWORK MATT COSTAI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR DONNACADH O’BRIAIN