The King’s Shadow Repertory
“Charlene V. Smith’s vision of a two-year, eight-play cycle of Shakespeare’s history plays was tragically cut short in its first iteration this spring — but make no mistake: next year, Richard the Second, the two parts of Henry the Fourth, and Henry the Fifth in repertory plus the three parts of Henry the Sixth and the ultimate Richard the Third will be one of the must-sees of the 2021 season. Smith, inspired by a staging of these plays in London some years ago, has assembled some fine talent and managed to coach some memorable performances. She wasn’t content to stage these plays as museum pieces, either; one example will have to suffice: by casting Nicole Ruthmarie as an African American Princess Katherine de Valois in Henry the Fifth, and closing out this first season with the cast singing the slave ballad ‘The Shores of Hispaniola,’ Smith has presented theatre that forces you to work your mind at multiple levels.” — Andrew Walker White, DC Metro Theater Arts Spring 2020 Staff Favorite Productions: Outstanding Repertory READ
Richard the Second
“Director Charlene Smith has assembled a cast that is assured in its understanding of Shakespeare’s language; more importantly, she has nurtured some of the most creative, nuanced readings of the Bard’s famous speeches I have ever heard.” — Andrew White, Broadway World READ
“Their first venture [in the Histories project], Richard the Second, is a resounding success. A talented and energetic cast, led by the superb Gary DuBreuil as Richard, bring their very best to this complex but profoundly human play.” — Sophia Howes, DC Metro Theater Arts READ
“Brave Spirits has assembled a strong ensemble of actors largely at home with the language and brimming with physicality and chest-thumping energy.” — John Geoffrion, DC Theatre Scene READ
Henry the Fourth, Part 1
“Judging from the quality of the work here, Washington theatregoers are in for a truly rewarding experience of the Histories. … Brave Spirits is well on their way to one of the more vital repertory seasons inside the Beltway that we have seen in quite some time.” — Andrew White, Broadway World READ
“If you like your Shakespeare characters to behave and react like flesh and blood people, and not esoteric abstractions, Brave Spirits Theatre’s Henry the Fourth, Part 1 is a play you’ll love… a gift for theater and history lovers alike.” — William Powell, DC Metro Theater Arts READ
“This is a play with some of Shakespeare’s most famous characters, biggest showdowns, steamiest relationships, the Bard at his hottest, fiercest, and bawdiest. Brave Spirits captures much of these elements, infused with moments of buoyant humor, intelligent and studious direction, actors who work their tails off; it’s a creditable production that very nearly hits it out of the park.” — John Geoffrion, DC Theatre Scene READ
Henry the Fourth, Part 2
“Charlene Smith and her team are equal to the task from the opening moment of Rumour’s prologue to the final blackout. As much as one may claim that the text is all, it certainly helps to have clever staging and a firm directorial vision; to make a potentially funereal script sparkle with life is a remarkable achievement.” — John Geoffrion, DC Theatre Scene READ
“Director Charlene V. Smith continues to find new gems here among the many performers, and there are some moments that truly shine here.” — Andrew White, Broadway World READ
“The justly famous comic episodes with Falstaff tend to dominate many productions [of Henry the Fourth, Part 2]. Here, they are wonderfully energized by Director Charlene V. Smith’s talent for compelling stage action and exuberant physical comedy.” — Sophia Howes, DC Metro Theater Arts READ
Henry the Fifth
“I have never seen Henry’s wooing of Princess Katherine after so many of her cousins and countrymen have been routed done effectively on a large stage. [Director Charlene V. Smith] not only uses the intimacy of the smaller venue to her advantage, but she reimagines the scene as a feminist critique of Henry’s entire enterprise as Katherine’s understanding that she is to be war booty reveal the cracks in Henry’s self-presentation.” — Ian Thal, Washington City Paper READ
“Director Charlene V. Smith views this, one of Shakespeare’s most popular history plays, with fresh eyes, and brings a sober understanding of the historical reality behind the shining pentameter veneer.” — Andrew White, Broadway World READ