kings of war
In Kings of War Ivo van Hove merges William Shakespeare's plays Henry V, Henry VI and Richard III into one explosive performance about leadership. For his performance of Richard III Hans Kesting received the Louis d'Or in 2016.
Run time 270 minutes, incl. intermission
Genre Theater
Language Dutch
Surtitles Fri April 28 and Fri May 5
Kings of war
In Kings of War, director Ivo van Hove focuses on political leadership. The original texts were retranslated by Rob Klinkenberg and then thoroughly adapted: the Hundred Years' War between England and France, and the Rose Wars between the houses of Lancaster and York for the English throne, which are emphatically present as a historical context in the original pieces, were referred to the background in the adaptation in order to accommodate a varied portrait of successive kings.
As leaders in times of political instability and war, they show remarkable affinities with world leaders today. Kings of War is not a historical reconstruction, but a performance about power, ambition, leadership and responsibility; a performance in which leaders are confronted with the ultimate decision about the life and death of thousands of citizens and in which they rule from a sense of empathy and justice or are led by an unbridled lust for power.
REVIEWS
The Guardian
'Epic reimagining of Henry V, Henry VI and Richard III makes for an explosive examination of political leadership and present-day power'
New York Times
'In this cold-eyed, hot-blooded work, political cynicism moves with the heady rush of sexual passion. Settle in for a long session of shivers, gasps and, despite yourself, satisfied smiles. Kings of War takes the home-viewing pleasures associated with serial television portraits of cutthroat schemers, like those in House of Cards and The Sopranos, and magnifies them to the proportions of grand opera'
The New Yorker
‘the first great theatrical work of the Trump era’
What's on
‘brilliance and beauty’
DIGITAL BROCHURE
Read more about the production's author, direction, music, scenography and costumes in our digital brochure.
Ivo van Hove was director of Internationaal Theater Amsterdam from 2001 till 2023.
In season 23|24, his directing of The Damned, My Heavenly Favourite and Who Killed My Father will be reprised.
CREDITS
by William Shakespeare
direction Ivo van Hove
translation Rob Klinkenberg
adaptation Bart Van den Eynde, Peter Van Kraaij
dramaturgy Peter Van Kraaij
scenography and light Jan Versweyveld
composition Eric Sleichim
costumes An D'Huys
video design Tal Yarden
private producers Harry en Marijke van den Bergh
co-commissioners barbican (london), théâtre national de chaillot (paris), wiener festwochen
co-production bl!ndman, holland festival, muziektheater transparent
supported by rabobank amsterdam
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cast Gijs Scholten van Aschat, Hélène Devos, Janni Goslinga, Aus Greidanus jr., Hans Kesting, Daniël Kolf, Minne Koole, Hugo Koolschijn, Bart Bijnens, Ramsey Nasr, Chris Nietvelt, Celia Nufaar, Bart Slegers, Eelco Smits
musicians steve dugardin (contratenor), bl!ndman [brass]: charlotte van passen, daniel quiles cascant, koen kaptijn, viktor belmonte albert, adam crighton
assistant director Olivier diepenhorst, Nina de la Parra
assistant dramaturgy Thomas Lamers
assistant scenography Pascal leboucq, Bart Van Merode
assistant composition Finn Kruyning
assistant video Rodrik Biersteker
head of technical department Reyer Meeter
production leader Michiel van Schijndel, Kiki Meijerhoven
technical staff Stijn van der Leeuw (first stage manager), Yannick Bruine de Bruin, Kevin Cuyvers, Zinzi Kemper, David Logger, Nelis Meijer, Stephan Pot, Pieter Roodbeen, Dennis van Scheppingen, Michel Smouter, Erwin Sterk, Mark Thewessen, Jip van ’t Veer
costume department Farida Bouhbouh, Carlijn Veurink (dressing), Wim van vliet (head), Ton Joling (execution crown)
hair & makeup David Verswijveren
set construction Eddy van gelder, Kloosterboer decor bv, Levtec
casting advice Hans Kemna
photography Jan Versweyveld
