• the217
• Stage
• Henry IV: Part I

Much has changed since 1596 — the end of the plague, indoor plumbing, electricity, the invention of toaster strudel, to name a few. But, Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I has remained a favorite of audiences worldwide and, specifically, in CU.

Guest director Norma Saldivar’s cast graced the stage of the Colwell Playhouse at the Krannert Center Saturday night to perform their interpretation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I. What was once taboo, the all-female cast explored the themes of this extremely masculine play from a womanly perspective.

The all-female cast definitely surprised out-of-towner, Michael Farrow.

“I had no idea that there would not be any guys in the play, but it seemed normal by the end of it,” he said.

In the play, the audience learned the past of King Henry Bolingbroke, his son Hal, rival Hotspur, and the amoral John Falstaff. The actresses showed the troubled relationship of father and son, the rivalry of soldiers and the camaraderie of mates.

However, this was no easy task even for this talented troupe.

The play presented challenges to the group because of age and gender, said Saldivar.

These issues did not intimidate Saldivar’s group.

“We have chosen to look at [these challenges] as an opportunity to explore the complexity of living in a world that is Henry’s world,” she said.

The thundering chorus of applause after the last scene on the battlefield proved the success of the cast’s methods.

“I didn’t know how these women would be able to play these strong male roles without making it look like a comedy, but I thought they did a great job,” said freshman in the College of Business, Maggie Stremel.

Saldivar and her crew attribute much of their success to the numerous other individuals who were responsible for the production of the play.

“Throughout the process, we have been surrounded by extraordinary and much-appreciated support in the personage of creative staff, faculty and production staff,” she said.

Students can still take advantage of the discounted student prices and see this production the weekend of March 6.

“It definitely gives you a new perspective of Shakespeare,” said Stremel.