Shakespeare Plays Streaming Online
After a successful run in Raleigh in January 2022, see these Sweet Tea Shakespeare plays streaming online and on-demand throughout the year.
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Sweet Tea Shakespeare plays streaming online.
Stir up year-round access here.
Richard II and Henry IV, Part One by William Shakespeare are now streaming online.
A frivolous king. A reluctant prince. A country on the verge of collapse. The first two plays in Shakespeare’s history cycle chronicle civil wars and the rise and fall of kings. After a faction of ambitious noblemen overthrow the young King Richard II, England is plunged into chaos and uncertainty. When the dust settles, there may be a new ruler…but at what cost?
Featuring hallmark Shakespeare characters from Sir John Falstaff to Prince Hal, and performed in repertory by a single company of actors, this first half of Shakespeare’s history tetralogy is an epic tale of fathers and sons, loyalty and leadership, politics and power. It is the story of ordinary people weathering the winds of change in a fledgling nation. And it is a visceral reminder that history isn’t past; it’s not even history at all.
Cast for these play in Raleigh includes Brook North as Richard II, Wade Newhouse as Bolingbroke/Henry IV, Laura J. Parker as Hal, Tyler Gregory as Falstaff, and a cast playing over two dozen hallmark characters with actors including Andrew Daniels, Bryson Hoff, Dustin Britt, George Jack, Lilly Mills, Mia Self, Mia Sgambellone, Ris Harp. The scripts are adapted from William Shakespeare by Claire F. Martin. Stage Manager is Andrew Daniels. Assistant Director is Nathalie Tondeur. Costumer is Lizzy Andrews.
More on Richard II
To look at the play in terms of its original context: Richard II is one of Shakespeare’s history plays, and was written for a king who had come to power by surprising everyone. King Henry IV faced overwhelming odds when he became king; many noblemen remained loyal to Richard even though he had been imprisoned and stripped of his crown. To win their support and keep them from rebelling, Henry IV had to be a different kind of king.
Interestingly, Shakespeare’s play was staged for the first time after Henry IV had died – and it was a great success. It’s possible that the play was seen as a way of celebrating the new dynasty, and of reminding people of the dangers of rebelling against the king.
In terms of its thematic concerns, the play is about the relationship between a king and his subjects. It asks the question: what is a good king? And it provides no easy answer. On the one hand, Richard is seen as a tyrant who abuses his power; on the other hand, Henry IV is a usurper who came to power by force.
Richard II Story
- Henry Bolingbroke accuses Thomas Mowbray of killing the Duke of Glocseter, and Mowbray asks King Richard for a trial by combat to defend his honor. The King initially grants the request, then halts the combat and instead banishes both men. John of Gaunt, Bollingbroke’s father, is upset that he will never see his son again. When he dies, his valuables and land are seized by the King to fund a war in Ireland, as advised by Bushy, Bagot, and Green.
- Bollingbroke hears he has been stripped of his inheritance, and returns with arms to fight for his birthright. He quickly gains support from other lords who have turned against King Richard because of his greedy policies. Richard returns to England to find he has no support left, and abdicates to Bollingbroke. He begins to go mad, and is sent to live out his days at Pomfrey Castle by Bollingbroke, now King Henry IV. Aumerele’s plot to assassinate King Henry is discovered by his father, York, and he begs the new King’s forgiveness. Richard is killed in his jail cell, and King Henry decides to launch a Holy War and end all civil wars.
More on Henry IV, Part One
King Henry IV is not yet secure on his throne, and must fight off rebellions led by Henry Percy (the Earl of Northumberland) and Owen Glendower.
Henry’s son, Hal, is heir apparent to the English throne, but spends his time carousing with the raucous and drunken knight, Sir John Falstaff, and his friends. Henry IV feels that it is unseemly for the heir apparent to revel with a group of rowdy commoners, and Henry warns Falstaff not to corrupt Hal.
A story of fathers and sons, civil brawls in house and in country, this play vibrates with anxiety, joy, and hope for the future.
Henry IV, Part 1 is the second play in Shakespeare’s tetralogy dealing with the successive reigns of Richard II, Henry IV (two plays, including Henry IV, Part 2), and Henry V. The play spans only the last two years of Henry’s life, from the Battle of Shrewsbury (1403) to the Battle of Gaultree Forest (1405).
Henry IV Part One Story
- King Henry (Bolingbroke) aims to put the events of Richard II behind him by making the Holy Wars a new priority. But young Hotspur refuses to give over her prisoners from the recent rebellions until her Welsh brother-in-law Mortimer is pardoned. King Henry will not pardon Mortimer because he has a claim to the throne. Hotspur with her aunt, the Countess of Worcester, and her father, the Earl of Northumberland, plan to rebel against the King by making allies with their prisoners Mortimer of Wales, Glendower, and the Douglas of Scotland.
- Hotspur is a foil to Prince Hal, King Henry’s disappointing son who spends his time with Falstaff and Poins robbing travellers and drinking in taverns. When he hears of Hotspur’s rebellion, he returns to beg the King’s forgiveness and is granted leadership in the army.
- Hotspur’s allies are concerned about their odds when Northumberland falls ill and Glendower’s forces have been delayed. The Countess of Worcester parleys with King Henry and Hal, but denies their offer of peace. The King gains extra forces from his younger son, Lord John of Lancaster in hopes of a victory.
SHAKESPEARE PLAYS STREAMING ONLINE | SHAKESPEARE RALEIGH | DOWNTOWN RALEIGH
Stir Up Access for Shakespeare Plays Streaming Online
Streaming access is available all season long — and, actually, for years to come — to all Sweet Tea Shakespeare Members. Memberships begin at just $5 and include digital access. Other tiers include in-person tickets and other perks. Become a Member today.
STREAMING INFO: Performances are provided via unlisted YouTube link. You can view the productions anywhere you can view YouTube, including mobile devices, computers, and smart TVs. Links are distributed with a limited-use license on the honor system. Access is limited to persons in one’s immediate household. Educators and those wishing to stream to large groups should contact Sweet Tea Shakespeare to arrange for large group one-time licenses or join our Educator Membership tier here.
Streaming access is made possible by a generous grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville & Cumberland County.
*Become a Monthly Sustainer for included tickets, tuition, special advance ticket rates and complimentary ticket exchanges for all plays in Raleigh and online
Original, In-Person Henriad Plays in Raleigh Performance Dates (January 2022)
PLEASE NOTE: If you’re viewing both plays in Raleigh or online, we recommend seeing Richard II *first* as its events precede those of Henry IV.
IN-PERSON PERFORMANCES (January 2022) were:
January 20, Henry IV, Part One (Thursday 7:30 pm; 7pm preshow)
January 21, Richard II (Friday 7:30 pm; 7pm preshow) (weather cancellation)
January 22, Henry IV, Part One (Saturday 7:30 pm; 7:00pm preshow) (weather cancellation)
January 23, Richard II (Sunday 2:00 pm; 1:30pm preshow)
January 27, Richard II (Thursday 7:30 pm; 7:00pm preshow)
January 28, Henry IV, Part One (Friday 7:30 pm; 7:00pm preshow)
January 29, Richard II (Saturday 7:30pm; 7:00pm preshow)
January 30, Henry IV, Part One (Sunday 2:00 pm; 1:30pm preshow)
Venue: William Peace University
Shakespeare Plays Streaming Online
PRODUCTION TEAM & CAST
Director | Aaron Alderman
Asst. Director | Nathalie Tondeur
Producer | Jeremy Fiebig, Hayley Philippart
Stage Manager | Andrew Daniels
Assistant State Manager | Becca Everett
Costumer | Lizzy Andrews
Props | Joyce Borum, Andrew Daniels
Light Design | James Donaldson, Jeremy Fiebig
Set Design | Aaron Alderman, Michael Allen
Production Assistant | Mike Raab
Fight Director / Choreographer | Jen Pomerenke
Fight Captain | Tyler Gregory
Intimacy Director / Choreographer | Kristina McClosky
Box Office / Front of House | Katelen Hankins
Music Director | Mia Sgambellone, Aaron Alderman
Composer | Aaron Alderman
Venue Coordinator | Wade Newhouse
Richard II CAST
John of Gaunt, Sir Steven Scrope | Kurt Benrud
Aumerle | Andrew Daniels
Richard II | Brook North
Bagot, Gardener, Keeper | Dustin Britt
Duke of York | George Jack
Green, Fitzwater, Alice | Laura Parker
Queen Isabella, Surrey | Lilly Mills
Duchess of Gloucester, Bushy, Duchess of York | Mia Self
Northumberland, Glendower | Mia Sgambellone
Marshal, Hotspur | Ris Harper
Ross, Bishop of Carlisle | Tyler Gregory
Bolingbroke/Henry IV | Wade Newhouse
Gardener’s Assistant | Nathalie Tondeur
Messengers & Sundries played by the Company
Henry IV Part One CAST
Peto, Prince John | Andrew Daniels
Westmoreland, March | Brook North
Norfolk, Willoughby | Bryson David Hoff
Bardolph, The Douglas | Bryson David Hoff
Ned Poins, Blunt | Dustin Britt
Vernon, Rakehill | George Jack
Prince Hal | Laura Parker
Sheriff, Lady Mortimer, Traveler | Lilly Mills
Mistress Quickly, Worcester | Mia Self
Northumberland, Glendower | Mia Sgambellone
Hotspur | Ris Harp
Lady Percy | Nathalie Tondeur
Falstaff | Tyler Gregory
Bolingbroke/Henry IV | Wade Newhouse
Messengers & Sundries played by the Company
About Sweet Tea Shakespeare
Sweet Tea Shakespeare gathers diverse communities around a common table to delight in the magic of story, song, and stagecraft.
Sweet Tea Shakespeare is a not-for-profit theatre and music company, community, and training ground inspired by Shakespeare and the early modern period in spirit and operation. Sweet Tea Shakespeare provides an interactive play-going experience with live music prior to every show. Most shows feature an array of snacking and drinking options.
We produce plays in Raleigh | Fayetteville | Sanford | regionally in NC | online
If you would like more information about this event, please call (910) 420-4383 or email info@sweetteashakespeare.com
Shakespeare Plays Streaming Online
About the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County: The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County serves more than 330,000 residents of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Since 1973, the Arts Council has ensured growth in our children’s education, our community’s cultural identity, and our economic progress. The Arts Council’s grants, programs, and services are funded in part by contributions from businesses and individuals and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the North Carolina Arts Council, with additional funding from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.
