Realfake Theatre in association with Soho Theatre presents 'English Kings Killing Foreigners'

English Kings Killing Foreigners is written, directed and performed By Nina Bowers and Philip Arditti 

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

“We are English, but we’re not ‘English’,” 

Taps into the current rise in extreme right wing British nationalism and the flag waving is timely and rightly challenging. 

Photo by Harry Elletson   

Set across a prologue, three acts and an epilogue in a concise 80 minutes this A two-handed poignant comedy written and played by Nina Bowers and Philip Arditti based on their own experiences produces a very watchable, humorous thought-provoking play with just the right amount of audience uncomfortableness. Staged and lit quite sparsely it allows the audience to focus on the tight witty script. 

Set outside a locked entrance to rehearsals, two small cast members of legendary Shakespearian actor and director Stuart Dunlop's Henry V meet and try to get in before the special rehearsals start.  

When Dunlop suddenly dies Philip, who trained at RADA and has assumes the leading role is in the bag for him, but the producers choose the inexperienced Nina an unknown black, queer, mixed-race Canadian British actor who is anxious and regularly has panic attacks while rehearsing. 

Philip, although disappointed about not getting the leading role volunteers, is willing to help her rehearse and influence her acting as he has previously worked with Stuart before (and is keen to keep reminding us).

The new reimagining of Henry V set in the near future in an English kebab shop decked out in St George flags. 

The Alt-Right have taken over France and the English of course are going to free them.  As we begin to break down the text they begin to understand that any version of this play makes them feel uncomfortable. Phillip is of Jewish Turkish descent and Tina links her queerness and historical slave background  her enslaved and queer ancestry into her role.

With jokes and references to the constant “reimaging of Shakespeare", racial tokenism and self-indulgent actors are all touched on in a smart and witty packed script. 

It challenges us to examine and think about the power of words, with microaggressions within Shakespeare text, why it was written when it was and how it reflects on perceived “foreigners” today while still being entertaining and funny. 

Occasionally breaking the fourth wall, asking the audience to vote around each other's acting style, showing how seriously and thin-skinned Phillip is about his own acting skills, regularly stopping the play to ask members of the audience why they did not vote for him and wanting specific feedback.   

The final act becomes more absurd and sillier, including numerous tennis balls, starting pistols and even chainsaws. It may be a touch over dramatic but allows for a change of pace and the epilogue.  

It may be that some people find it's a little one noted in its critique of Henry V and other views are available, but Bowers and Arditti own viewpoints are valid, asking some thought-provoking questions as well as being highly entertaining at the same time. 

Soho Upstairs – Soho 

Tue 16th September –Saturday 18th October 2025 

Age recommendation 14+  

Running time: 80 minutes 

Tickets from £18