English Kings Killing Foreigners Is A Sharp, Provocative Comedy Set To Take Soho Theatre By Storm

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, English Kings Killing Foreigners, a sharply funny and provocative workplace comedy, interrogates Shakespeare’s role in English identity at Soho Theatre from 16th September to 18th October 2025.

English Kings Killing Foreigners

This Autumn, English Kings Killing Foreigners, a fiercely intelligent and darkly funny new show, transfers to Soho Theatre for a five-week run from 16th September to 18th October 2025, following a critically acclaimed debut at Camden People’s Theatre in 2024. Devised and performed by multidisciplinary theatre-makers Nina Bowers and Philip Arditti, this whip-smart workplace comedy dives headfirst into the complexities of English identity, cultural nationalism, and the enduring legacy of Shakespeare with boldness, wit, and unflinching skepticism.

Presented by Realfake Theatre in association with Soho Theatre, English Kings Killing Foreigners is a playful yet incisive exploration of what Shakespeare means in 2025—and to whom. Drawing on their real-life experiences as actors in multiple productions of Henry V, including a 2019 run at Shakespeare’s Globe where they first met, Bowers and Arditti bring their extensive backgrounds in British theatre to a “silly show about serious things.” The result is a provocative piece that interrogates the politics of representation, the weight of cultural heritage, and the personal toll on artists navigating these fraught spaces.

A Playful Yet Piercing Workplace Comedy

At its core, English Kings Killing Foreigners is a workplace comedy that follows Nina and Philip, two actors cast in a high-profile production of Henry V. As “outsiders” in the Shakespearean institution, they bond over their shared skepticism about its role in shaping England’s national narrative. But when the production’s star—a white, English actor reprising Henry V for the fifth time—dies, Nina is thrust into the title role, sparking tension and conflict that threatens to unravel their relationship. As the two navigate micro-aggressions in the rehearsal room and the battlefields of Agincourt in the play-within-a-play, the show lays bare the personal and professional costs of performing in a story that may not fully belong to them.

Inspired by Bowers and Arditti’s own histories with England and their experiences as Global Majority actors, the show examines how Shakespeare’s work—particularly Henry V—has been weaponized in debates about national identity, tradition, and inclusion. From recent controversies over “colour-conscious casting” to the racial abuse faced by actors like Francesca Amewudah-Rivers (Juliet in a 2024 Romeo and Juliet opposite Tom Holland), Shakespeare remains a lightning rod for cultural and political battles. English Kings Killing Foreigners enters this conversation with sharp humor and fearless critique, asking who gets to claim Shakespeare in a so-called “post-woke” cultural landscape.

The Powerhouse Performers Behind the Show

Nina Bowers (she/they) and Philip Arditti (he/him) are no strangers to the British theatre scene. Bowers, a multidisciplinary performer and writer, has graced stages at Shakespeare’s Globe, The Kiln, Royal Stratford East, The Gate Theatre, and the Barbican. Her standout performances include playing all 19 characters in Anna Deveare Smith’s Twilight Los Angeles 1992 and Rosalind in As You Like It at the Globe, which Time Out called a “standout performance.” Beyond acting, Bowers creates bold, boundary-pushing work, including her drag king alter-ego, Sonny Delight, an Afrofuturist performer inspired by Black artists of the 60s and 70s. Her solo shows, Nina Talks about Her Values and The Mantis from Atlantis, have captivated audiences at venues like The Yard and Camden People’s Theatre.

Arditti, who grew up in Istanbul’s Jewish community before training at RADA, brings a wealth of stage and screen experience. Known for roles in HBO/BBC’s House of Saddam, ITV’s Breathtaking, and the National Theatre’s OSLO and Salome, he also played the title role in Henry IV at Shakespeare’s Globe in 2019. His first play, Extinct, was published by Methuen, and he recently co-wrote and directed a sold-out fundraiser at the Royal Albert Hall featuring stars like Olivia Colman and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Arditti’s upcoming projects include a return to The Spy Who Came In From The Cold at Soho Place.

A Timely Critique of Shakespeare’s Cultural Weight

In an era where arts funding is increasingly scarce, theatres often lean on star-led Shakespeare productions as safe bets for box office success. English Kings Killing Foreigners questions this reliance, exploring what it means to cast Global Majority actors in roles tied to English heroism and how non-white, non-English performers navigate these narratives. Through a blend of humor, heart, and raw honesty, the show exposes the tensions between reverence for Shakespeare and the need to challenge his role in perpetuating a narrow vision of Englishness.

Directed with creative input from Ellen McDougall and featuring set and costume design by Erin Guan and sound design by Jamie Lu, the production is a visually and sonically dynamic experience. Originally commissioned and co-produced by Camden People’s Theatre and produced by Maria Cuervo, English Kings Killing Foreigners promises to spark conversation and laughter in equal measure.

Why You Should See It

For audiences seeking a fresh, fearless take on Shakespeare and cultural identity, English Kings Killing Foreigners is a must-see. Its blend of sharp comedy, poignant critique, and stellar performances by Bowers and Arditti makes it a standout theatrical event of 2025. Whether you’re a Shakespeare aficionado or simply curious about the intersections of art, identity, and nationalism, this show offers a bold, playful, and deeply human perspective.

Don’t miss this provocative, laugh-out-loud exploration of what it means to perform Shakespeare—and England—in today’s world.

Find English Kings Killing Foreigners now:

English Kings Killing Foreigners runs at Soho Theatre, London, from 16th September to 18th October 2025. Tickets are available at sohotheatre.com.

Venue: Soho Theatre, Dean Street, London W1

Dates:  Tuesday 16th September – Saturday 18th October 2025

Press Nights: Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd September 2025

Time: 6.45 pm [3pm Matinee performances on Saturdays]

Running time: 70 mins

Tickets: https://sohotheatre.com/events/english-kings-killing-foreigners/ 

Touch Tour: 30th September 

QnA following matinee: 27th September.