Histories
Shakespeare's history plays are rarely adapted for Latinx cultures; they are less familiar to audiences and the specificity of their settings is integral to the action. Only one history play has been adapted for Latinidad, Herbert Siguenza's 2014 El Henry (Henry IV, Part I). Additionally, playwright Caridad Svich wrote Holler River (inspired by Henry IV, Part I) in 2018, and it will have its first full staging in April 2023. In 2020, Merced Shakespearefest staged a bilingual Ricardo II (Richard II).
Henry IV, Part I
San Diego Repertory, La Jolla Playhouse Without Walls Festival (San Diego, CA) - 2014 Artist: Herbert Siguenza Courtesy of: Herbert Siguenza
San Diego Repertory, La Jolla Playhouse Without Walls Festival (San Diego, CA) - 2014 Photography by: Jim Carmody Courtesy of: Jim Carmody
San Diego Repertory, La Jolla Playhouse Without Walls Festival (San Diego, CA) - 2014 Photography by: Jim Carmody Courtesy of: Jim Carmody
San Diego Repertory, La Jolla Playhouse Without Walls Festival (San Diego, CA) - 2014 Artist: Herbert Siguenza Courtesy of: Herbert Siguenza
2014 San Diego Repertory, La Jolla Playhouse, WOW: Without Walls Festival
San Diego, CA
El Henry
by Herbert Siguenza
(dir. Sam Woodhouse)
Herbert Siguenza's apocalyptic take on Henry, IV, Part I is the subject of Chapter Six of Latinx Shakespeares, "Futures: Shakespearean Critical History." Siguenza resets the action in a post-apocalyptic future.
The production starred Lakin Valdez as El Henry, Kinan Valdez as El Bravo (Hotspur), and Siguenza as El Fausto (Falstaff).
2018 Simpatico Theatre
Philadelphia, PA
Holler River
by Caridad Svich
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Caridad Svich's Holler River is inspired by Henry IV, Part I. The play deals with the repercussions of war. Svich integrates music throughout.
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Holler River had two readings in 2018 and will have its first full production in April 2023.
Poster painted by Klaudia Biskup
Courtesy of Department of Communication, Media and Theatre
Northeastern Illinois University
Richard II
2020 Merced Shakespearefest
Merced, CA
Ricardo II
(dirs. William Wolfgang, Maria Nguyen-Cruz, and Angel Nunez)
Ricardo II is a bilingual production, with the dialogue switching between English and Spanish throughout. The entire show is available to view for free and subtitles run throughout in both languages. For a full review, link to the full article.
Ricardo II Merced Shakespearefest (Merced, CA) - 2020 Courtesy of: Merced Shakespearefest
King Richard's court Ricardo II Merced Shakespearefest (Merced, CA) - 2020 Courtesy of: Merced Shakespearefest
Ricardo II Merced Shakespearefest (Merced, CA) - 2020 Courtesy of: Merced Shakespearefest
Ricardo II Merced Shakespearefest (Merced, CA) - 2020 Courtesy of: Merced Shakespearefest