Blackpool Grand Theatre and The RSC | Once More Unto The Breach (Beach) Henry V Trailer (SUBS)

Blackpool Leads A Shakespeare Nation - The Grand Creative Learning Team have been busy working with the Royal Shakespeare Company and local adult community participants to stay connected and uplift their spirits during lockdown. This is part of an RSC Shakespeare Nation national programme of activity.
Once More Unto The Breach (Beach) from Henry V
Zoom was swiftly becoming a new platform of communication for everything from drinking with friends, quiz nights, formal business meetings and online learning. It was through this medium that we at Blackpool Grand Theatre decided it was time to try to connect with our Shakespeare Nation (SN) participants and Shakespeare Champions. During what I initially expected to be a one off chat, it became clear that there was a real need, for a regular connection and focus. Luckily our entrenched partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company meant that Ian Wainwright, SN participation producer was happy to join us on the voyage of online creative adventure. So a plan was formed…..
We embarked on our engagement by having an amazing vocal session with Michael Corbidge RSC voice coach, we went on to discuss productions we have seen, shared our lockdown experiences and laughed, a lot! It was evident as the weeks passed by, that some participants were craving a performance platform and Ian and I had aspirations to ‘make something’ using the words of Shakespeare. I will confess that it was after a lockdown gin (slightly larger than usual) that I formed the idea of sharing a speech that would uplift us all and help us transition back into the world of Covid 19.
Hence the selection of Once More Unto The Breach (Beach) from Henry V. From early discussions about this text we unanimously discovered the resonance of Shakespeare’s words to rally the troops at Agincourt were pertinent to us, right now. Customarily active individuals were finding the simplest of outings difficult, others rated supermarkets by social distancing scores and we all had our battle ready costumes! From filming at home to zoom recorded footage we hope you will enjoy what we made.’
Click the full video at the end of this trailer.