Henry V, performed by Robert Faires at the Off Center, July 2- 25

We arrived on that hot Saturday July 4 afternoon at the Off Center to be greeted by Barbara Chisholm and a cup of champagne.

Stepping from the heat and dazzle into the cool dimness of the theatre, we found ourselves face-to-face with Robert Faires himself. He greeted us, welcomed us, and accompanied us to our choice of seats. In that small assembly we saw faces familiar to us from Austin's stages.

A woman of handsome, striking appearance stood chatting with persons in the front row as the house continued to fill. "My, this is like attending a wedding reception, isn't it?"

This is how things might have been in Henry's own court, had he had secured his kingship over both England and France. Robert Faires' Henry V that afternoon was a special entertainment before a band of acquaintances. The performer was at ease and familiar with his audience. His wife and daughter had their own roles in marshaling the spectacle. We all knew that something special was about to happen.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Upcoming: Henry V, a one-man presentation by Robert Faires, Red Then Productions at the Off Center, July 2 - 25

UPDATE: Jeanne Claire van Ryzin's brief interview of Robert Faires for the Austin Statesman's Austin360 "Seeing Things" blog, July 2

UPDATE: John Aielli interviews Robert Faires, Barbara Chisholm, and Catherine Weidner about Henry V, June 30

Received June 15:

Red Then Productions in a co-production with Rude Mechs presents Shakespeare’s

HENRY V

starring Robert Faires

July 2 - 25

Directed by Catherine Weidner
Lighting design by Jason Amato
Sound design by William Meadows
The Off-Center 2211-A Hidalgo www.rudemechs.com

Tickets $15, Discounts for seniors, students and groups of 8 or more. Charge by phone at 1-800-838-3006
or online at www.rudemechs.com/tickets

England’s most storied and inspirational warrior king is revealed in a new, one-man adaptation of the Shakespeare history starring B. Iden Payne Award-winning actor/director and Austin Chronicle Arts Editor Robert Faires.

Henry V is the culmination of an 18 year-old dream first conceived by Faires in 1991. Using Shakespeare’s instruction to the audience to use their imaginations to conjure the play’s royal courts, horses, armies, and battlefields, Faires reconceived the drama for a solo performer playing 13 characters. Over the course of 75 minutes, with only a few household props, he leads the audience from Henry’s throne across the English Channel into the French court, through a fearful war and into one of the most charming wooing scenes in Shakespeare.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .