History Plays
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown
So the history goes in Shakespeare’s three dramas encompassing the life and times of key players in the tumultuous English monarchy from 1398 to 1420: Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V. This dramatic feat marks a historic return for the Guthrie, as these plays were performed in rotating repertory on our stage more than 30 years ago.
Join us for this epic, three-play event and immerse yourself in Shakespeare’s examination of power, those who seek it and those who are destroyed by the brittle glory they crave.
Richard II
A king becomes a man
March 23 - May 24
Henry IV
A man becomes a king
March 30 - May 25
Henry V
A king becomes a hero
April 6 - May 25
Three ways to participate
- See all three plays in two days: Join us on select weekend performances: April 27–28, May 3–4, May 10–11, May 24–25.
- Pace your performances: Purchase a three-play package and see each play on separate days or weeks.
- See one or two plays: Choose your favorite monarchs and purchase single tickets.
In the news
Making history
Go behind the scenes of this once-in-a-generation production and monumental marathon of Shakespeare’s History Plays with Rohan Preston of the Star Tribune.
Photos
Photo: Daniel José Molina, Stephanie Anne Bertumen, Tyler Michaels King, Lanise Antoine Shelley and Jimmy Kieffer in Richard II (Dan Norman)
Photo: William Sturdivant and Tyler Michaels King in Richard II (Dan Norman)
Photo: William Sturdivant and Daniel José Molina in Henry IV (Dan Norman)
Photo: The cast of Henry IV (Dan Norman)
Photo: The cast of Henry V (Dan Norman)
Photo: Tyler Michaels King, Melissa Maxwell, Daniel José Molina, Jimmy Kieffer, and Stephanie Anne Bertumen in Henry V (Dan Norman)
FAQ
Thanks to our sponsors
Producer spotlight
The Guthrie is grateful for the many producers who helped make the History Plays possible, including Leading Producers Dr. Tom Knabel & Kent Allin, Sally & Ernest Lehmann Family Fund in memory of Sally Lehmann and David & Leni Moore. Hear from them personally about why they chose to support this monumental moment at the Guthrie.
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