The Henry Five

The Henry Five, reimagines William Shakespeare’s "Henry V" within the high-stakes environment of a Midwestern high school basketball championship. The drama parallels the original history play by casting an underdog team as the English army and their coach as a modern King Henry facing a formidable, affluent opponent. Through a chorus of cheerleaders who narrate the action, the play explores themes of leadership, community survival, and the honor found in shared struggle. The provided materials include the full script, a teacher’s companion guide for literary analysis, and rehearsal notes for the cast and crew. Ultimately, the text demonstrates how athletic competition can serve as a ritual for testing character and creating lasting history.