What is an ensemble?
An ensemble is a group of actors, directors, designers and other theatre artists who work together over an extended period of time. A normal acting company might rehearse for four weeks before performing a single play for the same amount of time, but in the case of the Histories Ensemble, 34 actors will work together over two years on eight productions, between them playing 264 roles, and eventually performing all eight plays in repertoire.
On one day an actor like Chuk Iwuji will play the King in all three parts of Henry VI Parts I, II & III, and on the next he will play the role of Morton in Henry IV Part II, as the whole ensemble rotates to present all eight plays in repertoire.
What are the benefits of ensemble to actors?
The benefit of an ensemble is that it allows actors and directors to gain a far deeper understanding of each other, and of the plays on which they are working. A sustained rehearsal period allows for additional training, helping them to develop their craft and grow as actors. It makes it possible for them to explore and experiment as a company, with time to play in an atmosphere of increasing trust.
What are the benefits of the ensemble to the audience?
Productions never stop evolving as actors continually gain fresh insights that they feed into the work the audience sees on stage each night. Audiences are able to join the actors on this journey over the course of several seasons, as both discover new characters, plays and perspectives.
When Geoffrey Streatfeild begins rehearsing to play Henry V, he will do so already having rehearsed and performed Henry IV Parts I & II, in which he plays King Henry as a young man. Once he has started performing Henry V that experience may in turn lead him to re-visit his performance in Henry IV, trying new ideas or interpretations of the text, all the time comfortable that the actors around him, with whom he has worked continually over the previous eighteen months, will support and respond to his work.
Meet the Histories Ensemble
