Vets' Theater Workshop Announces 'Henry IV' Cast for Fall Production

The Veterans' Theater Workshop yesterday completed early preparations for their fall production and announced the leading roles which have been cast for Shakespeare's "Henry IV, Part One."

Thayer David '48 will play the lead part of King Henry. Mendy Weisgal 1G, the Dauphin in the VTW's "St. Joan" last winter, will appear as Hotspur in next fall's play. Donna Holabird, cast in the leading role last winter, will take over the role of Lady Hospur in "Henry IV."

Klity Plays Falstaff

The part of Falstaff is to be played by Jerome T. Kilty '50, president of the Workshop. Naomi Raphaelson is cast as Mistress Quickly. The part of Prince Hal is not yet cast. While most of the casting is completed, additional small parts will be filled when the organization returns next September, Kilty said.

Continuing their ingenious methods of staging which produced the transept of Rheims Cathedral for "St. Joan," the VTW is planning to create in the Sanders Theatre a replica of the Elizabethan stage. For this purpose the present pit seats will be removed and the stage extended.

Elizabethan Technique

In addition the early English dress and the Shakespearean method of dramatization is designed to make the audience feel that it is witnessing an Elizabethan production. This follows the method which was used successfully in the film version of "Henry V."

An additional feature is a score which has been compared by Claudio Speis for the performance and which is to be played by a small orchestra organized by the VTW.

While those who attended "St. Joan" last March watched part of the play outside the theater proper, the audience of "Henry IV" will remain inside the theater throughout the play.

To Open in December

Chris Holabird is in charge of the technical direction of the performance which is scheduled to appear for five days, December 2 to 6. Kilty stated that work will begin on the play early next fall and he hopes that by giving the players the additional summer months in which to study their parts, the academic strain of intensive rehearsals can be avoided.

Next winter's production will be the first venture into Shakespeare for the yearling Workshop. Following their world premiere of Gerhardi's "I Was A King in Babylon" last fall, the VTW turned to the student body for the choice of their next play. A special poll indicated a preference for Shaw and "St. Joan" hit the Sanders boards.