The Pop-up Globe, the first full scale working reconstruction of the second Globe Theatre, is going up in Auckland and due to kick off its first performance. Among the ten Shakespeare plays on offer is Henry V, featuring an all-female cast of 40. Renee Liang speaks to Katherine Kennard and Jennifer Freed, who are part of the cast.

How long have you known each other and how did you meet?

Jennifer Freed: Katherine and I have known each other for a very long time.  Since 1994, in fact when we were both auditioning for drama school at Carrington UNITEC.  Katherine was so beautiful that none of the others would talk to her initially.  I think this was due to the fact that not only was she particularly good looking but also she is naturally quite introverted and also British, a bit of an intimidating combination at the time I guess. However when she told me she was staying on Fort St at a backpackers’ I couldn't believe it. Unlike now it was a very seedy part of town, not safe at all I thought, and so I offered for her to stay at mine. And from then on, I think because I reached out to her, we became great friends.

Katherine Kennard: I think it was Nov 1994. I flew into Auckland from Singapore (where I lived) to do a second audition for UNITEC's Performing Arts School and was staying at a backpackers’ on Fort Street.  Jenny was the first shining friendly face to come up to me.  We got chatting and when she realised I was staying on Fort Street she insisted I come stay with her. When I Ieft after the audition we had no idea if we'd see each other again.  So we were thrilled when we found out we both got in. And we have been great friends ever since.

You've each done lots of film/TV as well as theatre... what were your first loves?

Jennifer: Well I wish I could say that I've done a lot of film and TV, but I can't.  I’ve just done a few things here and there really.  My initial love was most definitely the theatre – the whole live experience of being on stage with the audience right there is ultimately what I most hungered for.  But now I've softened and mellowed a bit and I’m really enjoying the moments I get to work on screen too – it's quite a different thing altogether really. To be honest I love both and all the challenges are welcome!! More, more, more!!

It's funny because I think it was pretty much the opposite for Katherine.  As soon as we graduated from drama school she was snapped up into the world of filming.  Theatre called to her later. She suits both well, I’ve always admired her stillness on screen, her presence – it's inspiring to watch her work.

Katherine: Theatre is what I trained in, theatre is what opened me up to the world of acting and theatre is still the most challenging. But I prefer film/TV – I like the intimacy, and the pay is better. And if I fluff my lines, we can cut! :)

Do you also do other roles in the arts business?

Katherine: I work on commercials and film as a chaperon for kids on set.

Why Henry V?

Katherine: Good question!  It wouldn't have been my first choice as an all-female cast, but now we are deep in it, I see how it just HAS to be Henry V.  Now is the time the divine feminine is showing her true colours and sometimes it ain’t pretty. The innate power of women has been suppressed for centuries.  Putting 40 females all together is a brave decision for our director Grae Burton. I don't think he even knows what power us as a collective are going to generate. To be honest none of us do.

How did the show come together?

Katherine: Grae planted the seed in my head last November. I wasn't sure in the beginning but once I knew who our Henry was (Jennifer Matter), I wanted to give it all my support. 

Does having an all-female cast change the message or themes of Shakespeare's play?

Jennifer: No I don't think so. It's a universal story of love and war really.  Perhaps to the audiences’ ears and minds it may be received differently i.e. hearing women speak evokes a different feeling than hearing men speak.  I'm not sure to be honest...I'll leave that for the audience to decide.

Katherine: Whether male or female, power is expressed in many ways.  The making of a King is something both genders are responsible for, especially in today’s world.  Our delivery of the play does not need to change.  But how the play is received by individuals, is where the challenge lies.

There are a cast of 40 women, that's utterly amazing. Have there been any issues in getting such a large cast together? What are your rehearsals like, especially the battle scenes?

Jennifer: Yes indeed, I'm sure it was quite a task for our director Grae Burton to find 40 ready, willing and able women who were all able to commit to the entire process of rehearsal and production as there is little financial reward and a lot of hard work but he's done it!  The cast is brilliant I reckon, I'm very excited to be a part of this.

As for the battle practice well, I sprained my ankle pretty badly on the very first run through so I'm just praying for a speedy recovery.  We can't have a prince on crutches for crying out loud!! What I'm actually very excited about is the quality of fight training we're getting from working with fight choreographer Alexander James Holloway – he's amazing.  And I’m equally excited about the original musical score that the lovely and gifted Callum Blackmore has composed and arranged especially for us.

Katherine: We are all 100% committed – if we have to fight, we will fight.  Like I said before, the energy of 40 females driving this play is something beyond the play itself.  I’m excited to see what we are going to end up creating.

Do you think history would have changed if women were really in the main roles?

Katherine: Yes.  But there’s no point debating about the past.  It’s time to change our future for the better.

How do you feel about playing in a replica of the original Globe?

Jennifer: Omg, soo excited.  This was the key reason I wanted to do this thing!!

Katherine: Very excited.  It’s one of the main reasons why I wanted to be a part of this regional tour.

I know there were issues about equal representation with the Pop-up Globe originally announcing a season heavy in male roles (including one all-male show). Do you feel this rebalances things?

Jennifer: Yes absolutely.  Well put it this way, 40 women ranging in age from 16 to 70 have been given the opportunity to act, not only in a Shakespearean play but also at the Pop-up Globe here in Auckland.  Now that's a magnificent situation for all of us!!  Thank you Grae!!

Katherine: Yes you could say there is a sense of rebalancing. This is something that has to happen and will happen in today’s world, whether people like it or not.

What are you up to next?

Jennifer: Travelling, I like to travel and throw myself into unusual places and situations.  That's my favourite thing to do! 

In terms of acting, I trust that the universe will provide me with some new wonderful projects in the not to distant future – TV, film, theatre – bring it on!

Katherine: I will be performing Roger Hall's Four Flat Whites, directed by Regan Crummer, at the Pumphouse this July. And the usual auditions are on-going for upcoming projects.

• Henry V, directed by Grae Burton and Natalie Beran and produced by Sharu Delilkan (Sharu Loves Hats), with the support of The Wallace Arts Trust plays, rain or shine (please dress for the weather) at Pop-up Globe Theatre, Auckland CBD, 28-29 Feb and 07-09 Mar.