York Shakespeare Project’s summer production of Henry IV will be its boldest offering yet.

The project is aiming to stage every known play by Shakespeare in the approximate order in which they may have been written over a 20-year period – and the midpoint of this ambitious venture is fast approaching.

Tom Cooper’s production in August will be the first theatrical performance to be staged in the disused church of St Martin-cum-Gregory in Micklegate.

“I wanted to be involved because of the boldness and breadth of the YSP’s vision to stage all of Shakespeare,” says Tom. “I’m thrilled and grateful that the YSP kept searching with me until we found a performance venue that I was truly excited by.”

Staging the two Henry IV plays will be a daring, thrilling, ambitious undertaking. “We’re hugely fortunate that we’re doing them in a venue that’s completely new, not just to the YSP but to the whole theatre scene in York,” says Tom.

“For a whole month – including a good amount of rehearsal time – we’re taking over a beautiful, decrepit, atmospheric medieval church in the heart of York. It’s been disused for over 20 years; it’s full of historical resonances and echoes; and it’s an open, flexible space in which we can build, play and create a unique theatrical world.” Directing a YSP show for the first time, Tom is tackling Shakespeare’s dark representation of one of the most politically volatile periods of English history. “I was attracted to the project because the two parts of Henry IV are one of Shakespeare’s most celebrated dramatic achievements,” he says. “They’re full of fantastic characters; funny, moving and challenging scenes; and rich provocative ideas.”

Part One focuses on King Henry IV’s political struggles as he attempts to subdue a nationwide rebellion. In contrast, his son, Prince Hal, fritters away his time among the various drunks and tricksters in an East End pub, accompanied by his close friend, the roguish knight Sir John Falstaff.

Part Two is the darker play, and opens with news of an uprising led against King Henry by the Archbishop of York. Although the Archbishop’s revolt is quelled, the king’s health is in decline; the play then follows the young prince’s transformation from the dissolute Hal of the public house to the iconic figure of Henry V.

Tom’s vision for these complex plays is to “tell the stories really clearly”. “Neither the history, nor the language, is straightforward, but audiences must be gripped by every moment,” he says. “We need to find the vitality and truth, all the way through. We need to create strong, funny, truthful characters.

“The church gives us an open, rough, flexible playground: perfect for an ensemble-driven production. I want to stage the plays in modern dress but with specific historical echoes and resonances: somewhere between the medieval and the imagination.”

Cooper, a professional director with Opera North among his credits, graduated from the University of York, and indeed the whole cast and many of the crew are either based in York or university students in the city. Maurice Crichton, a conveyance lawyer, will tackle the role of King Henry IV, while the folk-style music has been composed by Morag Galloway, a York PhD student.

Meanwhile, student Esme Wise, a fluent Welsh speaker and singer, will rise to the challenge posed by the role of Lady Mortimer; a character who speaks no English. Christopher Laishley, who will play Prince Hal, has just won a scholarship from The Stage newspaper to study at the prestigious Mountview Academy Of Theatre Arts. Like the cast, the play itself has particularly strong connections to York. It is known, for example, that Harry Hotspur’s head was displayed on Micklegate bar after the Battle of Shrewsbury, and parts of his body are said to be buried under St Denys’s Church in Walmgate.

When actor Jeremy Muldowney runs tours of the Minster for school children, he regularly walks over the grave of the rebellious Archbishop whom he plays in the production.

Henry IV Part One will be performed from July 29 to 31 and on August 12 at 7.15pm, then on August 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 2pm. Part Two will be performed from August 5 to 8 and 13 to 15 at 7.15pm. Ticket prices are £10, concessions £7.50, for one play or £18, concessions £14, for two plays, available on 01904 623568 or online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk.

- Lydia Onyet