Shakespeare In Clark Park’s Henry IV Comes Complete With a 100-Person Battle Scene and Pub Prelude

Cast of “Henry IV” revved up for a good battle scene. Photo by Jen Cleary

Shakespeare’s Henry IV is coming to Clark Park!

Shakespeare in Clark Park and Team Sunshine Performance Corporation (TSPC) are joining together to present a unique rendition of the classic play, combining aspects of both Parts I and II of Shakespeare’s Henry IV.

Henry IV: Your Prince and Mine, the tale of two young rebels and a king, features a 100-person battle scene made possible by a “community army” of Philadelphians. A diverse array of over 100 Philly residents—reigning from 36 neighborhoods, ages 13-59—will take the battlefield in an epic Act V fight scene that is not to be missed. Directed by TSPC’s Co-founder and Resident Director, Alex Torra, the production features local actors Brian Anthony Wilson, Charlie DelMarcelle, and Brian Ratcliffe.

Community actors rehearsing for Henry IV’s epic 100-person battle scene.

In addition to five performances in Clark Park, there will be several community activities to take part in before the shows. A Pub Prelude will be held at Gojjo Bar at 5:30 p.m. on the night of each performance, inspired by the alcohol-fueled pub scenes of Henry IV. The pre-show fun offers an intimate look at the play hosted by four of the show’s performers (think mock battles between pint glasses and salt shakers, bawdy jokes, and pub ballads.) You can also head to the park during rehearsals for a free conversation station, where an on-going discussion about the play and the process of creating the production will take place prior to each show.

Henry IV: Your Prince and Mine will run from Wednesday, July 30th until Sunday, August 8th. All performances are free and open to the public, and begin at 7 p.m. More information about Shakespeare in Clark Park is available here.