King Henry IV part I

I struggled a lot with reading this play, not actually finishing it, though Matt did. There were so many men and the language was difficult and I had trouble getting into it. But seeing the play really helped. I enjoyed it a lot.

We arrived early enough to catch the actors going over a few fight scenes and setting up the theater.

Portland Actors Ensemble was our company and they did a great job. I enjoyed the costumes which ranged from somewhat Elizabethan to modern. Example: Falstaff wore a tie-dyed shirt.

Watching a play in a park can present some interesting "focus" problems. After intermission, there was a wedding in the space behind where we were sitting.

Outdoor theater is fun, too as it provides more people watching during the slow parts (say perhaps Lady Mortimer's Welsh song.) What is going on with this guy's head?

This was fun child to watch. He was having a good time playing quietly in the grass.

The Prince pledges to mend his ways. Butch Flowers was a great Harry.

Falstaff and the rest of the boys up to no good. Matthew D. Pavik was a hearty Falstaff.

Poins was not only a good actor, but easy on the eyes.

Jeff arrived mid-play, because he and Matt were doing something afterward. Just as he settled in, Falstaff recruited him for his army. Along with the guy with the thing on his head and some others.

Here's what Fallstaff had to say about his men:
"I pressed me none but such
toasts-and-butter, with hearts in their bellies no
bigger than pins' heads, and they have bought out
their services; and now my whole charge consists of
ancients, corporals, lieutenants, gentlemen of
companies, slaves as ragged as Lazarus in the
painted cloth, where the glutton's dogs licked his
sores; and such as indeed were never soldiers, but
discarded unjust serving-men, younger sons to
younger brothers, revolted tapsters and ostlers
trade-fallen, the cankers of a calm world and a
long peace, ten times more dishonourable ragged than
an old faced ancient: and such have I, to fill up
the rooms of them that have bought out their
services, that you would think that I had a hundred
and fifty tattered prodigals lately come from
swine-keeping, from eating draff and husks."

Deep down, Jeff likes being insulted.

More people watching. This teenager wasn't super into the play, but did watch the guy next to her spike his drink.

This cute couple were reading along with the play.

At one point, this child rode back and forth along the path, watching the scene.

Eventually, he just stood and watched the action.

All in all, a great play.