History Play (Rehearsed Reading)Rooftop Productions
A New Song Theatre Work by Rooftop Productions – Rehearsed Reading
Song Theatre
An original script with new music, rap, folk, metal, madrigals, and Canton opera, History Play is a history play within a history play, playing with Shakespeare's own history as well as his Histories.
Rooftop Productions, known for devising original works with classics as starting points, take on Shakespeare's most poetic play, about the life, deposition, and death of King Richard II. Based on historical and literary research, with original music, new writing, and a mashup of cross-cultural anachronisms.
A Golden Age?
Set in England during the final years of Elizabeth I's reign, Shakespeare is just a minor poet without a university education, whose talent entangles him in the political turmoil of the upper class, as talk of the succession is suppressed, and Elizabeth's favourites struggle for power. Was Shakespeare a genius out of his time, or a product of it? And how much of his own history or opinion can we excavate in his work? Was this really a golden age?
In his lifetime, Shakespeare's history plays were massively more popular than his familiar tragedies and comedies widely performed today. Are we missing something that made them more compelling back then? Can the history plays be relevant and accessible without a lecture on the context?
- In Cantonese, with some English and surtitles in Chinese and English.
- Free Seating, no refunds after confirmation.
- The show lasts for around 135 minutes, feel free to stay for our post-show talk.
- Each ticket is valid for one person only.
- Children under six will not be admitted.
- This program contains obscene language.
- Smoking, eating, or drinking are prohibited inside the venue.
- Photography, recording, and video recording are prohibited without permission.
- When purchasing your ticket, please allow sufficient time to arrive at the performing arts venue.
- Ticket holders must comply with all other venue rules posted at the venue entrance.
- Latecomers will not be admitted until the appropriate time for the performance.
- Presented by Rooftop Productions Ltd. All rights reserved by Rooftop Productions Ltd.
- Supported by The Hong Kong Arts Development Council: The Hong Kong Arts Development Council supports freedom of artistic expression. The views and opinions expressed in this project do not represent the stand of the Council.