Kit Harington is set to star as Shakespeare’s Henry V at the Donmar Warehouse as part of its reopening season.
Although he is best known for his role of Jon Snow in the TV series Game of Thrones, Harington has previously appeared in True West and Doctor Faustus.
Max Webster will direct this modern-day adaptation which will examine the corrupting influence of power. In an interview with The Guardian, artistic director Michael Longhurst said Henry V explores “modern political power and the psychology behind that’ in Henry V.”
“We are, rightly, really looking at our leadership in a time of crisis and how it steps up or doesn’t, and how power can corrupt and what it means to have a privileged white man running a country that is much more diverse than that. And also, of course, our relationship with those across the Channel feels absolutely relevant right now—and unification is a theme running though Henry V,” he explained.
Longhurst also commented on how Harington’s popularity may bring audiences, especially those who may not know the play, to Shakespeare. He described the actor as both “incredibly sensitive” and “incredibly funny.” As such, he believes it would be an opportune moment to take on the role of Henry V who has “left behind his bad boy days and is trying to step into his power as a leader”.
Henry V will run from 11 February to 9 April 2022. Tickets will go on sale at 9am on 8 July.
Words by Katie Heyes
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Image Credit: “Kit Harington” by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0