The Wars of the Roses
Special Event – The Wars of the Roses
Featuring Dame Janet Suzman as Joan La Pucelle (Joan of Arc)
Staged Reading of the First Two Plays
in The Wars of the Roses Trilogy
Adapted by John Barton
Directed by Grant Turner
Henry VI: Monday, June 1 – 7:30 pm
Edward IV: Tuesday, June 2 – 7:30 pm
Alder Theatre, Artists Repertory Theatre
General Admission Seating
Tickets: $20 per person
Purchase Tickets: Click here to Purchase Tickets
Or Call 503.241.1278
Additional Information About The Wars of the Roses
The Play: In 1963, the newly-formed Royal Shakespeare Company had just begun operations under the direction of Peter Hall and John Barton. Barton decided to substantially edit William Shakespeare’s three Henry VI plays that were rarely produced, combine them with Shakespeare’s Richard III and turn the four plays into a trilogy. The plays deal with the conflict between the House of York and the House of Lancaster over the Throne of England, a conflict known as the War of the Roses. The production of the trilogy was the first time the neglected plays were performed in a cycle. This groundbreaking production revealed the value of these early Shakespeare histories and helped define the Royal Shakespeare Company as a premiere Shakespeare Company. The Wars of the Roses was viewed by many critics as the greatest theatrical experience of the Twentieth Century. Renowned theatre critic Harold Hobson said, “I doubt if anything as valuable has ever been done for Shakespeare in the whole history of the stage.”
Dame Janet Suzman: The Wars of the Roses also launched the careers of some of the finest actors of their generation. David Warner played Henry, Sir Ian Holm played Richard, and Dame Janet Suzman played Joan La Pucelle (Joan of Arc). Dame Janet Suzman’s long career includes playing many of the major and minor heroines for the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as acting in movies (The Draughtsman’s Contract, A Dry White Season and Fellini’s The Boat Sails On) and television shows (Clayhanger, Mountbatten and The Singing Detective). She twice won the Evening Standard Best Actress Award and received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her performance as the Empress in Nicholas and Alexandra. She began her directing career in 1987. She was appointed DBE in 2011.
Portland Shakespeare Project is excited to present a staged reading of this landmark work with none other than Dame Janet Suzman reprising her role as Joan La Pucelle for the first time in fifty years. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime chance to see Dame Suzman in the role that made her famous, alongside a cast of Portland Shakespeare Project favorites under the direction of PSP Co-Artistic Director Grant Turner recreating the seminal theatre event of our time. Join us for the first two plays in the John Barton trilogy: Henry VI on June 1 and Edward IV on June 2, 2015.