Last year Producing Artistic Director, Alex Burns, of Quintessence Theatre, produced both A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Cleopatra. Burns says, “Shakespeare confirms we can all prove an ass when we are in love.” This spring we’re entertained by Shakespeare’s “Rare Accidents” of Henry IV. Classical, yet even with a good deal of loud carrying on – and murder – this show is a lot of fun. With the energetic cast, sword play, big wigs, big talk, foolishness, lots of blood, bawdy and earthy comedy, ambiguous erotica, and the occasional knife in the guts, it’s a splendid performance and a must see for lovers of live theater.
Quintessence has done a impressive, even miraculous, job with this production. We are treated to a rare spectacle in a show that would surely please Shakespeare. Alex Burns is not only responsible for the adaptation and direction, but also serves as the set and sound designer, featuring a revolving stage that often turns slowly to better show the action, as the audience watches from opposite sides.
Prince Hal is portrayed as a badly behaved youth who neglects his duties to spend his time with tavern wastrels and hoodlums. And though Shakespeare has created characters of ambiguous sexuality, Alex Burns has opted to define what the Bard left undefined, portraying Prince Hal and some of his companions as gay. However, though adding to the spectacle, it is immaterial to the plot.
The play opens with an effort to bring us onboard. The early material comes across more as undefined scenes. However, the performance resolves itself when we find ourselves in Eastcheap at Mistress Nell Quickly’s Boar’s Head Tavern, where Sir John Falstaff drinks and cavorts with disreputable characters. From this scene the story rollicks along with much fighting, blood, and braggadocio.
[Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgewick Theatre, 7137 Germantown Ave] February 11-March 15, 2026; quintessencetheatre.org
Adaptation and Direction: Alex Burns; Cast: Tyler Bey, Phillip Brown, Madeleine Garcia, Scott Greer, Sarah Knittel, Daniel Chase Miller, Christopher P. Mullen, Sam Pottinger, Kelechi Udenkwo