Auditions
Historical Comical: A Shakespeare Double Bill, by Bill!
Ambition meets absurdity in Historical Comical—two bold Shakespeare cuts, one wild night of theatre. Directed by Tom Robenolt.
Audition information coming soon!
What is Historical Comical?
Step into a world of ambition and absurdity with Historical Comical, a devised theatre production at Theatre UAF featuring two 60-minute Shakespeare pieces. Act I unveils a dark, dreamlike Henry V, where King Henry’s stirring “Band of Brothers” speeches mask a greedy quest to seize French land, rallying the masses for a conquest not their own—yet celebrated as heroic glory. Crafted with students and community actors, this cutting probes the tension between ambition and honor. Act II erupts into The Comedy of Errors, a rollicking farce of mistaken identities set amongst the background of a tariff war between two countries, where trade disputes and tangled deals fuel hilarious chaos, enlivened by mask work. Using UAF’s stock set pieces, fabrics, and vibrant lighting, this “Blanket Fort Theatre” transforms a single canvas into sails, capes, and more, creating magic. Live music—edgy electric guitar for Henry V, acoustic and foley sounds for Comedy—by UAF students and community members brings both worlds to life.
Why This Work, Why Now?
In 2025, Historical Comical speaks to Fairbanks’ spirit of reflection and resilience. Henry V’s dichotomy—greed for foreign land cloaked in heroic rhetoric—mirrors today’s debates over power and persuasion, urging audiences to question who benefits from grand campaigns. The Comedy of Errors, with its tariff-fueled market mayhem, reflects the absurdities of commerce gone awry, offering cathartic laughter as a balm for life’s mix-ups. This devised production empowers 15 UAF students and community actors to co-create Shakespeare’s worlds, fostering creativity and collaboration. By transforming UAF’s stock materials into vibrant sets and costumes, we celebrate resourcefulness, making Shakespeare urgent and accessible for all ages. Join us for a night of probing ambition, uproarious comedy, and community!
Cast Size: 15 actors (students and community members), playing multiple roles across both plays in a dynamic repertory ensemble.
Read the Full Plays:
- The Comedy of Errors: https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/the-comedy-of-errors/read/
- Henry V: https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/henry-v/read/
Performance Details:
- When: November 6–November 16, 2025
- Where: UAF Lab Theatre
- Runtime: 2 hours 15 minutes (60 min Henry V, 60 min Comedy of Errors, 15 intermission)
- Director: Tom Robenolt