Henry IV, Part 1: The 30-Minute Shakespeare

King Henry IV, Part I: The 30-Minute Shakespeare combines comedy, tragedy, and history into a rollicking six-scene drama performable in a half hour.

This adaptation includes tavern revelry, highway robbery, and the telling role-reversal scene between the inimitable Falstaff and young Prince Hal.

The play also features the rivalry between Glendower and Hotspur and the touching reconciliation between King Henry IV and his son Hal. The action climaxes with the riveting battle scene, and includes as a coda the new King Henry V’s brutal rejection of his former friend Falstaff.

The edition includes helpful advice by Nick Newlin on how to put on a Shakespeare production in a high school class with novice actors, as well as tips for performing the specific play and recommendations for further resources.