Preparations for a brand new season of Shakespeare in Delaware Parkwere underway Tuesday night. Actors were on stage preparing to open Shakespeare's Henry V in eight days and soon another summer of free theater will be underway in Buffalo.
"Oh, for a muse of fire that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention, a kingdom for a stage, princes to act." Those were the words of actor Tim Newell as Chorus introduces this tale of the redeemed warrior king and one of England's greatest military victories at Agincourt.
Across four-decades, this long tale of high-life and low, war and death has only been done once before on Shakespeare Hill in a heavily edited version.
Shakespeare in Delaware Park founder and Artistic Director Saul Elkin said it was time for Harry the King to again stride across the stage in Delaware Park. Elkin said the play has been cut because its full length runs around four-and-a-half-hours
"I've cut out characters. I've cut out scenes. It's a very episodic play. So, one has to be cautious. There's a story to be told and it has to be told in the right sequence. But, Shakespeare indulged himself a little bit in a lot of these speeches that go on for ever and ever," said Elkin.
Elkin noted the annual festival is doing fairly well financially, although that always depends on the crowds coming on nice days and leaving cash behind during the intermission.
Henry V will be performed June 19 through July 13. The Comedy of Errors is scheduled to open July 24.
