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Henry, Episode IV: A New Hope

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  14w, 9m, 3 any gender (adult)

Don Zolidis

Henry IV has a ton of problems. There’s a rebellion in the north, and his son, Hal, spends his time pretending to be a Jedi Knight and cosplaying at the Boar’s Head Cantina. From Don Zolidis comes a magical mash-up of Henry IV and Star Wars.

Henry, Episode IV: A New Hope

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    14w, 9m, 3 any gender (adult)
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Shakespeare), Adaptation (Stage & Screen)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences

Details

Summary

Henry IV has a ton of problems. There’s a rebellion in the north, and his son, Hal, spends his time pretending to be a Jedi Knight and cosplaying with a group of idiots at the local Boar’s Head Cantina. Things come to a head when Henry discovers that Darth Hotspur is creating a super weapon of some kind (ye olde deathe starre), and Hal has decided to rescue a princess out of a local nunnery. Now, Hal and his cosplaying friends will face their greatest challenge: the real world. 

Keywords
Performing Groups

The Empire:

HENRY IV – King of England
HAL – Prince of Wales, (later Henry V and also Luke)
JOHN – Duke of Lancaster, Hal’s younger brother
JOANNA – of Navarre, Queen of England, (Hal and John’s stepmother) 
LADY WILLA BLUNT – a knight
WESTMORELAND – an earl, (can be female) 

The Cosplayers:

OBI-WAN FALSTAFF – an imaginary Jedi Knight
NYM – plays Hanna Solo, a girl
POINS – plays Chewbacca
BARDOLPH – plays R2-D2, female
PISTOL – plays C3-PO
MISTRESS QUICKLY – owner of the Boar’s Head Cantina

The Nuns:

MOTHER SUPERIOR
SISTER DOLORES
SISTER AGNES
PRINCESS LAURA
OTHER NUNS

The Rebel Alliance:

LADY NORTHUMBERLAND – Mother of Henry Percy
DARTH HOTSPUR – formerly known as Henry Percy
OWAIN GLYNDWR – leader of the Welsh Rebellion. Also, an honest-to-God wizard. Seriously, look it up. 
SCROPE – Archbishop of York. I’m not making his name up either. 
DOUGLAS – leader of the Scots, has a funny accent
FRIEDA – Glyndwr’s daughter, doesn’t speak English
BECKY HOTSPUR – Darth Hotspur’s wife

THE TOWN CRIER
FARMER
SOLDIERS, STORMTROOPERS, FUNNY SCOTSMEN

I have no problem with any character being played by an actor of any gender. Even if you use female actors, Hal, and Henry IV should be played as male. Otherwise, if you’d like to switch the gender of any other character, feel free. 

I have no problem with any character being played by an actor of any gender. Even if you use female actors, Hal, and Henry IV should be played as male. Otherwise, if you’d like to switch the gender of any other character, feel free. 

  • Time Period Present Day, Medieval (6th-14th Century)
  • Setting

    England under the reign of Henry IV.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes, Period Costumes
  • Duration 105 Minutes

Media

ON BREAKING CHARACTER 

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Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

Don Zolidis

Don Zolidis

Don Zolidis, one of the most-produced playwrights in the world, is a former middle school and high school theater teacher. His 140+ published plays have been produced over 25,000 times, appearing in all 50 states, every Canadian province, and more than 80 countries around the ...

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