Deconstructing Shakespeare: Nina Bowers and Philip Arditti discuss their play English Kings Killing Foreigners

English Kings Killing Foreigners, created and performed by Nina Bowers and Philip Arditti, transfers to Soho Theatre this autumn following a critically acclaimed premiere at Camden People’s Theatre in 2024.

Described by its makers as “a silly show about serious things,” the dark comedy interrogates Shakespeare’s Henry V and its enduring role in shaping ideas of Englishness, nationalism, and representation. Speaking exclusively to Hinton Magazine, Bowers and Arditti reflected on the show’s origins, the challenges of its provocative title, and their hopes for the future of the production.

English Kings Killing Foreigners is described as “a silly show about serious things.” What were the “serious things” that felt urgent to explore through this project?

Great question. The show explores representation and tokenism, English nationalism, racist and xenophobic violence, and the cost of assimilating into a system that was never set up for you. But also we’re really interested in the role William Shakespeare plays in that. The story of English exceptionalism he is so often drafted to help support. Henry V feels the perfect piece for us to explore that dynamic.

How did the two of you first decide to make this piece together?

It was a really long process. We were performers in a production of Henry V and happened to have some time backstage to talk about the complex feelings being in that piece brough up for us. What did it mean for 2 actors that don’t identify with being White and English to be in a piece that so often has helped to tell a nationalist and exclusivist story about this country? Even though the production we were in was inclusive and not propagandist at all, we felt something about the dna of the piece was irreconcilable. We just couldn’t let go of that feeling and after 5 years of talking, playing and making we keep coming back to this show. 

Why Henry V? What is it about that play in particular that makes it ripe for deconstruction?

Henry V, is a really powerful play; it was written as propaganda in its time, in support of England's Wars in Ireland, and its been used at various points in history as a rallying cry,  including during WW2 and the Falklands war. The play is also full of the most amazing writing, and so many speeches that have lots of cultural resonance today,  like ‘O for a Muse of Fire’  and ‘ Once more onto the Breach’.  It's a play whose hero is committing war crimes! And it's about someone stepping into a role they were born to play. It may not be the best known of the Shakespeares but it's really provocative, and it's shaped a lot of the narratives around Englishness and War that are still present today.  

If you could cast anyone – dead or alive – in your version of Henry V, who would it be?

It would have to be a job share between Princes William and Harry. Harry is Henry’s namesake and can take the earlier scenes where he parties hard, plays tricks on his friends. His autobiography tells us he’d do a good job with some of the speeches later on where Henry is looking for the audiences’ sympathy. Princes William takes the more ruthless, cutthroat bits like when at his coronation he berates his longtime mentor and drinking buddy Falstaff. 

But also Keir Starmer, Benjamin Netanyahu, Putin and Trump would all do a great job and not have to share it with anyone.  

What does the title English Kings Killing Foreigners mean to you?

We’ve really had issues with the title, and gone back and forth on it. Originally we wanted something that felt really confronting, because we find the play confronting. Or something that feels like something you shouldn’t say. We were really inspired by titles like  SLAVE PLAY and Untitled Fuck Miss Saigon Play.  Titles that make you stop and think.  But it also has a personal meaning  for us about assimilation; do you have to kill the foreign part of yourself to be celebrated within Englishness?  That's the question our characters are asking themselves.  

What’s next after Soho?

We’re working on a tour for 2026! We had amazing interest from venues around the country but funding has been an issue. The theatre industry seems to be going through a serious crisis as a result of long years of Tory austerity and now a cash strapped Labour government… it tough to see the end of it. But we’re keeping positive and looking for more sustainable, practical and cheaper ways take our show to new audiences. Watch this space

English Kings Killing Foreigners is at the Soho Theatre, London from 16^th September – 18^th October 2025. For tickets and more information, visit: https://sohotheatre.com/events/english-kings-killing-foreigners/