Tabard Production Asks were 'We Few' Actually that Happy

Shakespeare's Henry V re-examined through two one-person plays


Gareth David-Lloyd in rehearsal. Picture: Gareth David-Lloyd

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August 11, 2024

A forthcoming production at the Tabard Theatre in Chiswick uses Shakespeare’s Henry V as a framework to explore themes of coming of age, grief, war, conscription and PTSD.

Written by Peter Mottley in the eighties, Before Nell / After Agincourt is a double bill of one person plays being staged from 27 – 31 August.

Before Nell is told through the eyes of a boy actor preparing to take the stage as Nell Quickly AKA Madame Pistol in the first ever production of Henry V. It aims to present an insight into the hardships and social dynamics of the time whilst drawing comparisons with life today.

After Agincourt unlike Before Nell, is set within the time period covered by Shakespeare’s history plays and centres on the character of Pistol. Drunk, bitter and alone in the Boars Head Tavern, Eastcheap, he recounts to his fellow drinkers the English invasion of France in 1415. It’s been seven years since Agincourt and he’s still suffering. In modern vernacular he details the campaign of bloody battles and sieges that have been indelibly etched into his very being.

Before Nell stars Felix Uff as the Boy Actor and After Agincourt stars Gareth David-Lloyd as Pistol. The plays are directed by BAFTA nominated Paul Olding in a The Crooked Billets Theatre Company production.

It was during the shoot of Royal Autopsy: Henry IV for Sky History in 2023 that Gareth and Felix first considered reviving these plays which, besides a reading of After Agincourt on Radio 3 by Bob Hoskins over thirty years ago, they felt had never been given their fair due. Gareth, who is best known for his role as Ianto in the BBC series Torchwood and his voice performance in the video game Baldur’s Gate, had performed both plays back-to-back in Whitchurch village Hall when he was fresh out of drama school in 2000 but was far too young for the role of Pistol at the time.

Before Nell / After Agincourt plays at the Theatre at the Tabard from Tuesday 27 August to Saturday 31 August with performances at 7.30pm except Saturday which is at 6pm.

It runs for around 2 hours with a fifteen-minute interval between the two plays. Tickets cost £24.50 or £21.50 for concessions and can be booked online or by calling the box office on 020 8995 6035.

Full schedule and tickets.

Coming up at the Tabard

Theatre at the Tabard is at 2 Bath Road, Chiswick (W4 1LW).

 

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