Brave Spirits Theatre is proud to announce the completion of the company’s final project: Shakespeare’s Histories in Audio. Shakespeare’s epic eight-play saga captures the cyclical nature of violence and history, while showcasing poignant domestic stories of families and their divided loyalties.
THE FOUR PLAYS OF THE KING’S SHADOW follow the troubled passing of the English crown from the philosopher King Richard II, to the conqueror King Henry IV, to his rogue son, Prince Hal. With his father’s deeds looming over him, Hal indulges in a reckless adolescence that tarnishes his reputation. But when the time comes to rule, Hal must take control of how history will remember him, unite his country, and become the legendary King Henry V.
THE FOUR PLAYS OF THE QUEEN’S STORM dive headfirst into the ferocious conflict spawned by a cruelly bought peace. At Henry V’s death, the crown passes to his infant son King Henry VI and the English nobility fight over who will step into the power gap. Confronting the tempest is Margaret of Anjou, a princess from lands abroad who rises to become England’s queen. Faced with threats and treachery from every direction, Margaret’s is a tale of resilience, ambition and, finally, the very nature of evil, with the rise of Shakespeare’s most famous villain, King Richard III.
Shakespeare’s Histories began on stage in the fall of 2019. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic ended performances of The King’s Shadow early and resulted in the complete cancellation of The Queen’s Storm. In response, the company has spent the last three years reimagining their original theatrical work as audio dramas. Brave Spirits Theatre is thrilled to be able to share these stories with our audiences in this new format. Though Brave Spirits Theatre has ceased operations, these audio productions will commemorate both the artistry of the Histories team as well as the company’s ten years of operation.
Shakespeare’s Histories in Audio provides 16 hours of listening divided into 24 episodes. The episodes will be available to stream for free at Brave Spirits Theatre’s YouTube channel. Episodes will be released Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm starting October 17. Audiences can gather together in the chat for each live premiere, or stream the episodes later at their own convenience.
STREAMING SCHEDULE
Thursday, October 17 – Richard the Second
Monday, October 21 – Henry the Fourth, Part 1
Thursday, October 24 – Henry the Fourth, Part 2
Monday, October 28 – Henry the Fifth
Monday, November 4 – Henry the Sixth, Part 1
Thursday, November 7 – Henry the Sixth, Part 2
Monday, November 11 – Henry the Sixth, Part 3
Thursday, November 14 – Richard the Third
Shakespeare’s Histories is directed by Charlene V. Smith and the recording producer and editor is Patrick Flynn.
The acting company for Shakespeare’s Histories is Mikey Bannigan, Zach Brewster-Geisz, Jordan Brown, Dean Carlson, Jacqueline Chenault, Gary DuBreuil, Brianna Goode, Lisa Hill-Corley, Thomas Howley, Caroline Johnson, Brendan Edward Kennedy, Annette Mooney, Victoria Reinsel, Duane Richards, Jillian Riti, Ian Blackwell Rogers, Nicole Ruthmarie, Charlene V. Smith, John Stange, Molly E. Thomas, and Joshua Williams.
The composer and music director is Jordan Friend. The dialect coach is Jenna Berk. The production manager for Shakespeare’s Histories is Lisa Hill-Corley. The stage manager is Jen Katz. Marshall B Garrett and Claire Kimball serve as dramaturgs and directors, and dramaturgy is also provided by Liam Thomas Daley.
SEE ALSO:
A tribute to Brave Spirits as it calls off Shakespeare’s histories due to COVID (column by Sophia Howes, September 13, 2020)
