Merced ShakespeareFest to wrap up summer shows
Merced ShakespeareFest goes “once more unto the breach, dear friends,” with the final three performances of “Henry V” this weekend.
The free summer performances of William Shakespeare’s play about King Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt have been playing this month in Applegate Park and in the UC Merced Amphitheater.
The final three performances are at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, and 5 p.m. Sunday at Applegate Park, 1045 W. 25th St.
The cast is composed of about 25 actors. An Atwater High graduate and Army veteran, Jim Bennett, portrays King Henry V, who has several monologues full of bravado as he rallies his warriors throughout the play.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.
King Henry V
The ShakespeareFest has performed just about all of the comedies in the Bard’s canon of plays, according to Heike Hambley, founder and artistic director of the annual show. So “Henry V” is the first historical story for the troupe.
Along with rousing speeches, the story features swordplay, gallows humor and romance.
“Henry V” also is known for some of the most famous speeches in Shakespeare’s works, with lines such as, “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.”
It is common for show-goers to bring a blanket or lawn chair and have a picnic during the show. Food also is sold from a lunch cart at the park.
All shows of “Henry V” are free. For more, go to mercedshakespearefest.org.
KNOW AND GO
Merced ShakespeareFest’s “Henry V”
Applegate Park shows
- Saturday: 10 a.m., 5 p.m.
- Sunday: 5 p.m.
This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 3:26 PM with the headline "Merced ShakespeareFest to wrap up summer shows."