Shakespeare in the Parks is back and they will be playing for us Friday, August 15th.

Show starts at 6pm, but don’t miss a chance to get some delicious dinner at Holy Moly BBQ, secure your spot on the Historical Village lawn and listen to the musical pre-show that will start at 5.15pm!

More about the play:

Henry V, one of Shakespeare’s historical plays, explores leadership, honor, and the impact of

decisions made in times of great uncertainty. A young man thrust into leadership of a nation

torn apart by national destruction and discord, Henry grapples with the conflict between

political expediency and his own moral compass, elevating themes of honor, justice, and mercy.

As with many of MSIP’s productions, audiences will experience complex and exciting fight

scenes as the play culminates in the famous Battle of Agincourt.

This summer, the company performs in 64 communities across five states including Montana,

Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, and Washington, serving over 20,000 audience members

annually with free performances. Find our more at Shakespeare in the Parks.

Thanks to Lincoln Electric and Interbel for generously helping to sponsor this event, so all tickets can be free!

Detailed synopsis of the play:

HENRY V SYNOPSIS

By Gretchen Minton

A Chorus figure explains that this play will feature the famous victories of King Henry V of

England. Given the limitations of theatre, however, it is necessary that the audience use their

imaginations.

It is 1415. Henry is a young monarch who shirked responsibility in his youth, preferring to spend

time in taverns. Now that he is the king, however, he impresses the court with his resolve to

invade France because he believes he has an ancestral right to the throne. The Church and the

nobles voice support for this claim. A message arrives from the Dauphin (=prince of France) that

mocks Henry’s younger days by sending him tennis balls, and Henry swears he will make the

Dauphin and his country pay for this insult.

A group of lower-class men who used to spend time with Henry in the taverns—Bardolph, Nim,

and Pistol—receive word that Falstaff, the group’s leader and Henry’s one-time close friend, has

taken ill after being shunned by the king. Soon afterwards Falstaff dies and the others join the

English army’s campaign to France, where they eventually get into trouble for theft. As Henry’s

army prepares to embark, he reveals that two members of the nobility have conspired to have

him killed. Henry thanks God that this plot has been discovered and orders the traitors executed.

King Charles of France meets with his nobles to discuss the English invasion. The Dauphin does

not think the situation is serious, but the king and others warn the Dauphin that Henry is

descended from those who previously defeated France. Henry’s forces assail the walled town of

Harfleur; under his inspirational leadership they are successful.

Princess Catherine of France asks her waiting-woman to teach her English, and they have a

language lesson. Meanwhile, King Charles is alarmed at the English success and mobilizes his

army to intercept the English. As the English and French forces prepare for battle, the French

brag because they have greater numbers and are more prepared than Henry’s ragtag army. The

night before the battle, Henry disguises himself so he can learn what his soldiers really think. He

debates with a soldier who argues that the king is responsible for the lives (and souls) of the

soldiers who will be lost in war. Privately, Henry meditates upon the weight of royal

responsibility and prays for his army’s success. When he returns to his troops, they are fearful of

the upcoming battle, so he assures them they are part of a “band of brothers” that will be

remembered forever for their glorious feats.

Against all odds, the English are victorious; they lose hardly any men, whereas French soldiers

of every rank lie slain on the muddy battlefield. Henry praises God for the victory. The English

present their conditions for peace to King Charles. Since marriage between Henry and Catherine

is one of the terms, Henry attempts to woo the princess. Both sides ratify the treaty, and everyone

hopes this couple will have children, cementing perpetual peace between France and England.