THE PLAYER KINGS PART 1 & PART 2

About the show

“Let us sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the death of Kings” The Player Kings is an extraordinary and unforgettable offering and the biggest undertaking in Sport for Jove's history. This is Damien Ryan’s brand-new adaptation of Shakespeare’s great history cycle – the epic theatrical mirror Shakespeare held up to the eternal human struggle to lead, love and learn to live together. We live in a virulently polarised world – truth from falsehood barely distinguishable – media smothered by propaganda and partisanship – leadership eccentric to the point of madness –democracy at its most fragile and ambiguous – autocracies thriving and flagrantly proud – and kleptocracy, the ancient art of governing by theft, proving a very adequate solution to the problem of who runs the show! Let’s just say it – we are living in a Shakespearean...tragedy? History? Nightmare? And if we really dare ask ourselves, do we perhaps enjoy the show a little too much to want it to end? Playing over two compelling and contemporary chapters, the story glances backward to the journey from Richard II to Richard III, in order to thrust our gaze forward to how political systems collapse and societies devour their own potential. Featuring a world-class cast, some of the finest actors of Shakespeare in the country, people whose capacity for language and depth of understanding is a promise of something very special. A hugely inventive and genuinely immersive experience, The Player Kings reimagines a Globe-like arena on the York stage at Seymour Centre. Experience the magic! Watch the two parts on back-to-back nights or, for the ultimate adventure, immerse yourself in our Saturday marathon, complete with a delightful dinner break. We will have food truck Iron Ramen in the Seymour courtyard serving a menu of mouthwatering Japanese street food for the 29 March, 3 April, 4 April, and 5 April show dates. Part 1 The Hollow Crown By William Shakespeare LET US SIT UPON THE GROUND AND TELL SAD STORIES OF THE DEATH OF KINGS… Chapter 1 – THIS OTHER EDEN - Richard II Chapter 2 – THIS VEIL OF WILDNESS - Henry IV Part 1 and Part 2 Chapter 3 – THIS BEST GARDEN OF THE WORLD - Henry V Part 2 The War of the Roses By William Shakespeare & Christopher Marlowe LET’S KILL ALL THE LAWYERS… Chapter 1 – ICARUS - Henry VI Part 1 Chapter 2 – CAN I DO THIS AND CANNOT GET A CROWN - Henry VI Part 2 and Part 3 Chapter 3 – THE TIME TO COME - Richard III