Oregon Public Broadcasting
Indigenous scholars update language of ‘Henry IV, Part 1’ in new production at Lewis & Clark
By Gemma DiCarlo | Nov. 6, 2023
Shakespeare’s “Henry IV, Part 1″ follows the titular king as he prepares for war while his ne’er-do-well son Hal shirks — then ultimately accepts — his duties. The play deals with themes of violence, masculinity, power and leadership, all of which speak to Indigenous playwright Yvette Nolan. She recently updated the play’s language as part of Play On Shakespeare, an initiative that aims to make the Bard’s plays more engaging and accessible to modern audiences.
