Drum & Colours – Henry IV @ Seattle Shakespeare Company (Seattle Center)

By William Shakespeare
Adapted by Lamar Legend
Directed by S Franco

King Henry IV’s reign has been rife with conflict from the very beginning, which is not surprising given that he usurped the throne from Richard II. Now, even friends have become enemies as conflict between the King and his former supporters grows. To make matters worse, the King’s son seems disinclined to rule, frequenting the taverns and brothels of London with his friend Sir John Falstaff. Family drama and political intrigue intertwine to make way for a new ruler, and as unrest grows and conflict bubbles, England dares to ask: who has the right to wear the crown?An all-BIPOC company gathers for this epic tale of a polarized nation, a combined adaptation of both parts of Henry IV in a follow up to Drum and Colours from winter 2022.

Furthering the work of previous projects like the Shakespeare Equity Engagement program (SEE) and the Holding Space project, Drum and Colours aims to meet the community’s needs with an all-BIPOC company with 360-degree representation, including actors, directors, and production team. It explores BIPOC company members’ personal connections to the classics and sheds new light on familiar works. SSC believes that art that is open — to adaptation, interpretation, and the recognition of the wonderful vastness of the human experience — is stronger and more long-lasting than art which ignores that complexity.

Previews 3/14-16, opens 3/17

Tickets ($45-$62, depending on day) here.

$10 rush tickets (if tickets remain) available for all performances; see Groundling tickets info here.