William Shakespeare

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One dark night, Hamlet sees a ghost. It is his dead father, who claims he was murdered by Claudius, the new king. But did Hamlet really see a ghost, or did he just imagine it? And if he did see a ghost, was it telling him the truth? Hamlet plans to avenge his father by killing Claudius. But the man he stabs isn’t Claudius, as he thinks, but his girlfriend’s father. So the wrong man dies. So much tragedy, but there is more to come. Who else will die an untimely death? And who will live to tell the tale?

Alone in a strange country where it isn’t safe to be a single girl, Viola disguises herself as a boy called Cesario and finds work as a servant. But dressing in boy’s clothes doesn’t stop Viola falling in love with a man – who is in love with someone else. Will she ever manage to win his love for herself? And who is this other young man that appears, looking so like Cesario? What confusion will result from his arrival? Perhaps Viola’s brother didn’t drown after all …

Henry V dramatizes the legend of the heroic warrior-king who won the battle of Agincourt; but it also tells the more human story of a young king’s psychological journey, learning to deal with the political realities of Church and State. As increasing numbers of British servicemen and women are seeing active service, Propeller brings its own unique take on one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. Also features introduction from Ed Hall (Artistic Director of Propeller Theatre Company), notes on the design and music from members of the Propeller team, as well an introduction to the text by Shakesperean academic Roger Warren.