I thought I would expand my horizons and experience one of Shakespeare's plays. After an internet search, I learned that Henry V was going to be performed at First Folio theater (https://firstfolio.org/?production=henry-v) in one of the western suburbs of Chicago.

But, in looking at the website, I was surprised to learn that the role of Henry V is going to be done by a woman named Diana Coates.

I'm not knowledgeable about plays in general nor Shakespeare's in particular, and find this pretty odd. Is it unusual to have a woman in this role? Are there no men available to play Henry V?

Perhaps she "identifies" as a white male.

Could be. My only experience with Shakespeare was the movie, Henry V, with Kenneth Branagh.

I may be an unenlightened neanderthal, but I'm not paying money to see a female proclaiming "We band of brothers!"

You guys are not properly embracing DIVERSITY. Shame on y'all.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
You guys are not properly embracing DIVERSITY. Shame on y'all.

Well, it would be interesting to hear her proclaim that she'd "hold her manhood cheap".

On the stage or on film, there is a long of history of men and women playing the opposite sex. If this lady was going to do the makeup and all that jazz to look like a man I'd get it. But this is some sjw bullshit.

I didn't see it, but IIRC there was an all female version of Julius Caesar set in a women's prison that was aired on PBS.

Found it. It was an episode of Great performances.

This story shall the good man teach his son!
Until she sprouts balls, she is no Harry the King.

I’d give it a shot. Else, it’s the same thing for the zillionth time. Give it s new spin.

If it doesn’t work, fine. I don’t think it’d kill me.

Hey, I know! We could remake Mary Poppins with Shaquille O'Neal in the title role.

I suppose it is barely possible that a big, burly, female actress could act the part of an English Warrior King in a believable manner, but why? This travesty is about diversity and political correctness, not about believability.
I don’t want to watch an NBA player trying to act the part of Juliet either.

Henry V is not a girly part!

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!
Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,
Have in these parts from morn till even fought
And sheathed their swords for lack of argument:
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!

quote:

Originally posted by SigJacket:
I’d give it a shot. Else, it’s the same thing for the zillionth time. Give it s new spin.

If it doesn’t work, fine. I don’t think it’d kill me.

Well, it's the first time for me.

But, even if it wasn't, I'd still have a problem. I've seen Puccini's Madame Butterfly at least six times and each one has been different in some way. But, if a guy came out to sing the role of Cio-Cio-san, I'd call foul.

^ ^ ^ ^ Exactly.

It’s only fair. Back in Shakespeare’s day all parts were played by males. Female characters were generally played by boys or younger teens who were apprenticing with a theatre troop or company.

How progressive.

They are preparing us for the woman who’ll replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond

They are experimenting. I am not particularly interested in the experiment, but I can solve the "problem" by not seeing this version of the play.

Some enjoy such things. It is no skin off my nose.

If a black man can play Alexander Hamilton why can't a black woman play Henry V?

quote:

Originally posted by CoolRich59:


But, even if it wasn't, I'd still have a problem. I've seen Puccini's Madame Butterfly at least six times and each one has been different in some way. But, if a guy came out to sing the role of Cio-Cio-san, I'd call foul.

What if he was an awesome soprano?

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

quote:

Originally posted by CoolRich59:


But, even if it wasn't, I'd still have a problem. I've seen Puccini's Madame Butterfly at least six times and each one has been different in some way. But, if a guy came out to sing the role of Cio-Cio-san, I'd call foul.

What if he was an awesome soprano?

JHE, I cannot contend with you. It she can can pull off a good Don Giovanni as a soprano, you'll get no complaints from me!