When 鈥淗enry V鈥� opened as part of the , audiences experienced the conclusion of the four-play Henriad cycle that began in 2013.听
鈥� a young, rising star who started working at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival as a University of Colorado student in Colorado Springs 鈥� appears in the title role as King Henry V of England, continuing the maturation of the young prince he played last season in 鈥淗enry IV,鈥� Parts 1 and 2.
鈥淭he Henriad cycle is ultimately a war story that follows the journey of the crown,鈥� said Bonenfant, who joined the Actor鈥檚 Equity Association this summer. 鈥淚n 鈥楬enry V,鈥� the transformation of a prince into a king is complete. This transformational aspect represents not only the character I play, but my own transformation of roles as an actor.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 playing the same guy in a completely different mode,鈥� said Bonefant. 鈥淗e鈥檚 leading his country into war and learning how to be a man, as well as a leader. Where I鈥檝e played the prince, the lover and younger men in the past, now I鈥檓 stepping into a much larger, central figure. I鈥檓 incredibly excited and grateful.鈥�
Bonenfant also plays Charles in the Colorado Shakespeare Festival鈥檚 sold-out Original Practice production of 鈥淗enry VI,鈥� Part 1, Aug. 2 and 5.听
鈥淪ince we鈥檙e among the first Shakespeare theatre companies producing Original Practice-style works, we鈥檙e lucky to have an expert like Vanessa Morosco leading the charge as director,鈥� said Tim Orr, producing artistic director.听
Morosco performed in more than 20 productions of Original Practice-style Shakespeare at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Virginia.听
鈥淭he goal of no-frills Original Practice productions is to put ourselves under certain rehearsal and performance conditions that Shakespeare鈥檚 company would recognize as commonplace,鈥� said Orr. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 exciting is that these conditions 鈥� where the actors prepare their roles in isolation and are offered minimal stage direction 鈥� fundamentally change the relationship between actor and audience. By applying these conditions, we experience some of the joys that Renaissance actors and audiences must have reveled in. It鈥檚 immensely satisfying and a wonderful counterpoint to an otherwise fully-produced season.鈥�
The Colorado Shakespeare Festival last performed 鈥淗enry VI,鈥� Part 1 in 1967.听
鈥淗enry VI,鈥� Part 1 is sold out. 鈥淗enry V鈥� runs through Aug. 9 at the University Theatre indoor stage. Last performed by the in 2000, this production of 鈥淗enry V鈥� is directed by Carolyn Howarth, critically acclaimed for her 2014 production of Henry IV, Part 1.
Single tickets for 鈥淗enry V鈥� start at $20 and discounts are available. Visit the for more information and to purchase tickets. Tickets may also be purchased from the box office by calling 303-492-8008. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is located in the University Club on the CU-Boulder campus.
Photo by Jennifer Koskinen.