One of Kent’s biggest theatre companies is set to head out on another summer tour with two spectacular shows. Changeling, based in Maidstone and known for taking works by Britain’s best-loved playwrights to beautiful open-air venues across the county each summer, will debut their latest productions this month. The tour kicks off with Henry V, Shakespeare’s infamous ‘war play’, based on the events of the Hundred Years’ War.
The historic play documents the invasion of France by the English king and is believed to have been written in the late 16th century. This summer production is directed by Rob Forknall, who is also the founder of Changeling Theatre, and is expected to have audiences on the edge of their seats this summer. “Henry V is popular with audiences not only because it charts the rise of a young king, but because it represents war in so many ways, testing our inherent beliefs about the true ‘value’ of war,” says Rob.
“Our production will play on the idea of the game of war – a chess game. Our set will be a chessboard, our actors, pawns. It promises to be entertaining, challenging and with some Changeling humour thrown in for good measure.
” The show opens at Boughton Monchelsea Place and will also star the company’s newest apprentice. Each year, Changeling holds auditions for young actors from Kent to earn a place in the touring productions and, this summer, Isabel Watson from Marden was chosen to perform with Changeling. “I applied to Ch.