HENRY IV is the eighth Shakespeare production I have directed for Tropic Sun in Townsville [two more were recently directed by Terri Brabon]. It is our first 'history play'; I must admit it has always been a favourite of mine - every since we did it at school, back in England in the late 40s.

But what finally decided it for me was the availability of a suitable group of actors. I tend to go for plays that can showcase the talents of actors I am fortunate enough to have at my disposal. I feel it's great to be able to say 'this is what Townsville can do!' - without having to import talent from down South - and it helps both professional and community actors to develop.

Then came the question, how to costume it. There are several schools of thought as to how Shakespeare plays should be set. Some would maintain that they should only be performed in Elizabethan costume - just as they were originally.

[And a few of those would try even harder to be authentic by having the female roles played by boys!]. Some would prefer to costume the plays in the period in which they are set. Others favour the contemporary dress approach arguing that that was what Shakespeare himself did; his characters were costumed in the style of his own period with little regard for (or knowledge of, for that matter) historical styles of previous ages. [Henry IV's day was as far removed from Shakespeare's as Napoleon is to us!]

I have tried each of these at different times and I think each can be effective. But, after three modern dress productions in a row [The Shrew, As You Like It, Much Ado] people were asking for something in period costume. So, particularly since the City Council have conjured up a fabulous Elizabethan Fair to go with the production, I thought this would be an appropriate style for the play. I hope you will enjoy Dominie Hooper's delightful costume designs as well as the spectacular heraldic embroidery of Christine Spain in the battle scenes which Justin has devised.