Artistic Director Michael Longhurst and Executive Director Henny Finch today announce the cast for the Donmar LOCAL schools’ tour of William Shakespeare’s Henry V, directed by the Donmar’s former Resident Assistant Director Dadiow Lin. Inspired by the critically acclaimed 2022 Donmar Warehouse production directed by Max Webster, the production tours for four weeks in June and July, with performances offered free of charge reaching up to 3000 young people in Camden and Westminster thanks to support from Headline Partner Howdens and Westminster City Council.
Dadiow Lin directs James Esler, Shaka Kalokoh, Gabin Kongolo, Natalie Kimmerling, Jess Nesling and Felipe Pacheco. The production’s Designer Roisin Jenner and Movement Director Liam Francis have both been part of CATALYST, the Donmar’s talent development programme, working on the original Donmar production of Henry V as Creative Assistants. The CATALYST programme facilitates paid training opportunities for creatives and arts administrators. Each year, paid Creative Assistant placements in set and costume design, sound design and lighting design are offered and they are mentored by industry leading creatives and supported with access to mentoring opportunities following their placement.
Dadiow Lin says “Having worked as the Resident Assistant Director at the Donmar for the last year, I am excited that I get to come back and create this Donmar LOCAL Production. I assisted Max Webster on his production of HENRY V last year and with the knowledge and inspiration I drew from the production, the team and I want to create a Shakespeare show that is accessible and evokes young people’s imagination as well as making them intrigued by the theatricality we present to them. It is also wonderful to be working with creatives who were assistants on the original production through CATALYST, the Donmar’s talent development programme.”
