Henry V at UMaine Machias

The University of Maine at Machias Performing Arts Center will host the Theater at Monmouth in a performance of William Shakespeare’s Henry V on Monday, October 26. The first showing at 11:30 a.m. will be reserved for middle and high school groups, while the second showing at 6 p.m. will be open to the public.

The Theater at Monmouth specializes in performances for younger audiences. Each fall, they select one of Shakespeare’s plays and take it to schools across Maine. This year, the UMM Dead Poet’s Society and the Primavera Press are sponsoring the performance in Machias.

Tickets are available in advance or at the door. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and community students, and free for UMM students. Families may get in for $10. For tickets to the 6 p.m. show, contact Barbie Holmes at 255-1312.

Henry V, one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, is the true story of a young British king with a reputation for recklessness and decadence.  He is trying to correct his reputation through a great series of battles against the French, while at the same time he is preparing for his wedding to the princess of France.

Gerard NeCastro, advisor to the Dead Poet’s Society, said, “Theater at Monmouth visited us two years ago and gave a great performance of Twelfth Night.  Since then, we have been hoping to make their performances a yearly event.”

NeCastro said that having an annual visit from Theater at Monmouth along with the yearly performance of the Robinson Ballet’s Nutcracker and a couple of other top-notch performances at the Performing Arts Center schedule will continue to make UMM a home for the arts for the people of Washington County.