Above: The cast of Henry 6, 2024. Photo by Rich Soublet II.
In the midst of a two-part run at San Diego’s The Old Globe, Henry 6 is the largest Shakespeare production the theatre has ever presented, making the Globe one of only a handful in the country’s history to complete Shakespeare’s canon.
One: Flowers and France (June 30 – September 14, 2024), and Two: Riot and Reckoning (July 9 – September 15, 2024) are a two-part reimagining of the rarely produced Henry VI, Parts I, II, and III, led by acclaimed Shakespeare director and the Globe’s Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. Titled Henry 6 to underscore its contemporary resonance, the play is a timely and timeless portrayal of political disarray and illegitimacy that illuminates how debates over political legitimacy, civil unrest, and the machinations of the elite impact the lives of everyday people.
Support from a California Humanities’ winter 2022 Humanities for All Project Grant expanded the production’s free public programming, including artist discussion panels, exhibitions, community education workshops, and even the creation of scenic elements eventually used in the production itself. This humanities-centered programming allowed San Diegans to learn about the development of Henry 6 in an experiential way, and understand the process of interpreting the original text from the perspective of scholars, artists, dramaturgs, stage designers, costumers, directors, and their fellow community members in San Diego and around the world.
Thus-far, the production and related humanities programming has received strong community and critical acclaim as well as national press coverage, with The Los Angeles Times praising Henry 6 as “thrilling,” “epic,” and “accessible.”
The Old Globe’s “Henry 6” is Shakespeare for and by the people. The production considers what this history means to us today and why we should continue to care about it. Shakespeare looked to the past and created not only irresistible drama but also an image of humanity eager to find patterns in historical processes that are larger than any individual but still a product of stubborn human nature.
Charles McNulty, Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times
Dr. Sonia Desai, Literary Associate at The Old Globe, shared with California Humanities insights into the production’s behind-the-scenes process. A primary artistic collaborator on Henry 6, Sonia has also participated in the show’s extensive slate of public programming including its “Saturday Salons,” a free series bringing together renowned authors and creatives to delve into the play’s history and themes.
In addition to fulfilling the Old Globe’s longstanding goal of performing all of Shakespeare’s works in this anniversary year, why was it particularly important to you to present Henry VI (as Henry 6) now?
Our Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, who adapted and directed this production of Henry 6, was really interested in the idea of leadership and the reasons why people pursue power in these plays. Shakespeare’s Henry VI plays illustrate how ordinary people suffer when leaders forget their responsibilities and focus instead on the pursuit of power. Barry found this to be a very relevant topic for our current times.
What factors did you consider in adapting the play to make it relevant and engaging for a contemporary audience?
One of the biggest challenges of adapting these plays was how unfamiliar this material would be to our audiences. These plays are rarely produced in the US, and the English history that is foundational to them is not what we are taught in schools. So, we focused on creating a clear story arc.
For example, the use of red and white roses was a great way to visually help the audience keep track of the various characters in this complicated conflict. There were also many conversations between the director and designers about incorporating modern design elements into the production. We have huge projection scenes that we use to play video and help create various moments in the play. The costumes become more modern as time passes in the play, and there is also live music with a fun rock and roll feel that adds to the overall spectacle of this production.
Tell us more about how the local community was able to participate in the public programming around the play, and how community members were involved in the play itself (in addition to theater professionals)? How has their participation shaped this unique theater experience?
The community aspect was probably the most exciting and ambitious part of this entire production. In total, we estimate that over 1,000 San Diego citizens were able to participate and have a hand in helping us put these plays together.
Before the production started, we held design workshops where members of the public worked with our designers to create elements that would transfer to the stage. For example, our scenic and props designer Lawrence Moten led a workshop to design the three suns that are seen in a pivotal moment in Henry 6’s Two: Riot and Reckoning. Likewise, our sound designer Melanie Chen Cole led a workshop where participants used their voices and bodies to create the ambient sound of rain and the environment that is heard throughout the play. We even created a film studio in our rehearsal hall to film community members. These videos then play at various points during the plays, so they are in the play! We also have walk-on roles every night for three community members who get to join the cast on stage.
It has been an amazing experience. I know the cast and creative team have loved having the opportunity to feel like they are part of a bigger community. I heard that several designers asked for more than one workshop, and are already hoping to do more in the future!
One: Flowers and France runs until September 14, 2024 and Two: Riot and Reckoning runs until September 15, 2024. For tickets to Henry 6 and more ways to engage, visit the Old Globe’s website.
