“A welcome addition to York’s ever-growing theatre scene, it embraces both tradition and irreverence.”
LONG MAY HE STAGGER
1st Zanni Theatre is thrilled to present the world premiere of A KINGDOM JACK’D by American playwright Scott Bradley.
“What if Falstaff won?”
A KINGDOM JACK’D is an uproarious alternate history in which Shakespeare’s most lovable rogue somehow finds himself crowned King.
This is Shakespeare turned upside-down: brutal satire meets broad comedy, all delivered in tightly wrought verse. The play draws equally on the medieval world of the original Henry IV, the Elizabethan imagination that reshaped it, and our own contemporary political absurdity.
In collaboration with York International Shakespeare Festival, A KINGDOM JACK’D premiered at the historic Merchant Adventurer’s Hall in York on 29-30 April 2026.
“Wisdom draws both high energy and rhythmic versifying from their cast of 12, all relishing the proximity of the audience to the thrust staging within the timber frames of the history-soaked hall.”
Meet the CAST
Liz Bailey
Sir Bardolph &
Welsh Guard
Julia Bisby
Doll Tearsheet
Rosy Rowley
King John “Jack” Falstaff
Effie Warboys
Lord Francis &
Lady Catrin “Cat” Glendower
Lainey Shaw
Henry Bolingbroke &
Lord Chief Justice
Ro Trimble
Edmund Mortimer &
Lady “Kate” Percy
Stuart Green
Earl of Worcester & Earl of Northumberland
Lou Dunn
Ned Poins &
John Bolingbroke
Katie Leckey
Sir Nym &
Harry “Hotspur” Percy
Jimmy Johnson
Sir Pistol &
Sir Walter Blunt
Oliver James Parkins
Hal Bolingbroke
Jodie Mulliah
Lady Quickly &
Owen Glendower
Meet the team
Anna Gallon
Producer
Tempest Wisdom
Director
Pearl Mollison
Fight Choreographer
Scott Bradley
Playwright
Jai Rowley
Composer
Grae Heidi-Brookes
Costume Designer