Society/Production Company: Jesus College Shakespeare Project
Show Title: Henry IV, part one
Content Warnings: CW for the 26-27 season//: war, violence and death, including through strangulation and those of children, sexual assault, repeated body-shaming language and sexual innuendo, depictions of alcohol and drugs misuse, controlling and coercive relationships, misogynistic, xenophobic, jingoistic and homophobic language and behaviour, references to suicide, grief, depictions of national stereotypes, dementia, police brutality, prostitution, robbery and kidnapping, discussion of and potential representation of miscarriage, weapons, occult, vomiting, loud noises
Venue/Dates of Show: Jesus College Hall (27-28 November, MT27 7th week) then on tour in late June/early July 2027
Deadline: Saturday 10 October at 5pm
Audition Type: Self-tape (first round) then in-person callbacks
Description: We are looking for a large, diverse, and gender-balanced cast from across the university to stage 'Henry IV, part one', Shakespeare's most comic, energetic and thrilling history play as the first production of the 2026/2027 Jesus College Shakespeare Project season, which will then continue the story with 'Henry IV, part two' in Hilary and 'Henry V' in Trinity before all productions go on tour to Wales and Oxfordshire as part of College's Access and Outreach activities.
*Freshers and those new to OUDS encouraged especially to audition.*
Casting note: a number of parts appear across the plays for which we would like the same actor in each play. You can find a breakdown of roles across the three plays in the JCSP edits here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19oITXFvgYUUkiZJsJbd8XiGvplNQuW1ThqjO2ILD0gE/edit?usp=sharing
NB: please note that there are differences from standard printed texts in this regard.
*Please note the roles of Henry IV, Northumberland and Hotspur have already been cast as they are carry-through castings from 'Richard II' (TT26). All other parts are available.* A number of roles also require particular casting considerations - please see questions in audition form.
Link to Audition Pack: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/Yfa2qzsaB3