Murphys Creek Theatre has brought back the Bard in a big way in staging the second show of its 2026 season.
Widely regarded as William Shakespeare’s finest history play and one of his greatest overall works, “Henry V,” written around 1599, has plenty to cheer about as it combines one of the greatest underdog stories in human history while portraying one of England’s most celebrated kings.
In staging this work, MCT has for the first time ever cobbled together an “in the round” interactive performance space to help theatre goers experience the play in a way somewhat akin to how Shakespeare’s fans did back in the day.
Although MCT is not able to provide a huge open-air stage in the style of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre where spectators could closely press in along three sides; by increasing the regular auditorium seating with three small onstage bleacher-style theatre boxes that surround the performance area from the back and sides, MCT has effectively created an “in the round” space for the actors to interact with audience members on all sides.
Proximity to the audience and use of simple sets, props and effects enabled Shakespearean actors to engage and mesmerize audiences by tapping, flowing with and wielding the Bard’s rich, descriptive language; interwoven with the playwright’s heady mix of clever humor, political intrigue and drama. MCT, through its staging and capable cast, is similarly equipped to engage the audience.
In addition to directing the production, MCT Artistic Director Todd Thomas is also part of the 10-member ensemble cast within which all but the title character and one other play two or three rather contrasting roles. In his depiction of Chorus, a central figure who narrates and helps the audience bridge time and space within the story progression, Thomas is a nimble and entertaining guide.
As the titular king, Robbie Allen, a local legend and hard-working Hollywood actor, is a joy to watch as he fully embodies and expresses a character with many complicated and nuanced facets. It is also fun to watch the swordplay within the ensemble cast and how well those with multiple contrasting roles shift between being English or French; royal or commoner; male or female.
Among the MCT veterans appearing in “Henry V” are Stephen Daly (Bardolph / King of France); Mike Evans (Pistol / Burgundy); Ben Teitelbaum (Westmoreland / Williams); and Joelle Ziebell (Boy / Kate / Orleans).
New to MCT are actors William Bennett (Canterbury / Constable); Sophie Falvey (Nym / Alice / The Dauphin); Mark Kushnir (Montjoy / Grey / Bates); and Harry Stoner.
MCT allows theatre goers to choose their seats and there is no additional cost to pick an onstage perch. In welcoming the audience on opening night, Thomas, who created the in the round experience as a kind of experiment, was clearly delighted that spectators were embracing the opportunity to sit up close and personal.
MCT is located at 580 S. Algiers St., Murphys. For more details and tickets, including the theatre’s as affordable as it gets “pay-what-you-can or pay-it-forward” options, visit murphyscreektheatre.org.
