Cast revealed for ‘radical’ Henry V musical

The Birmingham Rep has named the full cast for the upcoming concert performance of Sweet Henry V, which will be presented in The Studio on 23 and 24 January.

The script-in-hand staging introduces a new, irreverently styled musical set in 1413, following Henry V’s “glow up” from prince to king and his clash with, in the show’s words, “douchebag Prince of Wales” Owain Glyndŵr. The event will include a live band performing more than 30 original songs.

Will Jennings will play Henry V, with Matt Rawle as Owain Glyndŵr. The cast also features Seiriol Davies as Henry IV, Adrian Hansel as Hotspur, Emily Ivana Hawkins as De Grey, Emmy Stonelake as Catrin and Rhys Taylor as Iolo.

The creative team is led by the Rep’s artistic director Joe Murphy, who directs, with a book, music and lyrics by Davies. Leo Munby is musical director, with Livi Van Warmelo as associate musical director and Lucy Baker-Swinburn as keyboard programmer. The team also includes Dan Hayward on drums, Clive Meldrum as sound number one and Elliot Mitchell as company stage manager.

Murphy said today: “I’m absolutely thrilled to announce the cast of the Sweet Henry V concert performance – this ensemble is packed with extraordinary talent. Sweet Henry V is a musical that celebrates everything we love about bold, ambitious storytelling. I am so excited that Birmingham audiences will be the very first to witness this very special concert performance, before it embarks on a full-scale production in the future.”

Sweet Henry V will be performed at the Rep on 23 and 24 January, with booking available through the theatre’s website or box office.