AN ALL-female cast will be putting on an “interactive, fun and immersive” production of William Shakespeare’s Henry V in the town of the warrior king’s birth later this week.

Drama students at Monmouth School for Girls have been working hard with producer Simon Riordan, the school’s new Theatre Director in Residence, in preparation for the two-night show.

In Shakespeare’s day, women weren’t allowed on the stage, as portrayed in hit film Shakespeare in Love.

But turning it on its head, in this all-female production the girls will be performing some of the most iconic speeches in Shakespeare’s canon and in Henry V’s own home town.

“The production will show the students performing scenes, speaking in French, singing and playing instruments with the audience taking on some roles too,” says Mr Riordan.

“The cast will be surrounded by audience members on either side of the stage, so it will be very interactive with lots of surprises and plenty of laughs.”

Head of Dance, Rhyan Parry, is choreographing routines with 17 pupils from the Year 7 physical theatre ensemble group and dance scholars Emma Chinn and Tabitha Prosser-Wrench.

Carys Davies, who gained a major part in the Welsh National Youth Opera production of Brundibár last summer, is playing the role of Henry V.

She has been a pupil at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools since nursery and is studying Music, German and English Literature at A level.

Ella Hemus, who has landed a part in the second series of The Spanish Princess, a television drama on Starz based on the early life of Catherine of Aragon, is playing Chorus and Exeter.

Eleven-year-old Dilys Murcott is playing the roles of The Archbishop of Canterbury and Captain Jamy.

She said: “Henry V was born in Monmouth so the production means a lot to all of the cast members and we have had so much fun in rehearsals learning our lines.

“You don’t need to be a fan of Shakespeare to enjoy Henry V because the play is easy to understand with some very hilarious bits.

“We have all had such a brilliant time in rehearsals with Mr Riordan and it’s his first production since he’s been with the school, so it feels special.”

Also appearing are Rosie Bailey, Ffion Sheppard, Amy Mc-Grane-Venn, Amelia Gray, Willow Birch, Milly McIlroy, Anwen Marks, Grace Bach, Seren Holliday and Alice Steward.

The play is in the main school hall on Friday and Saturday, January 31 to February 1, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/habsmonmouth or they can be bought on the door.