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Edward III (Ben Forer) and the Countess of Salisbury (Rachel Matusewicz) in a scene from the Hudson Shakespeare production of "Edward III" which opens July 12 in Secaucus as part of the Shakespeare in the Park season.

(Courtesy of Hudson Shakespeare Company)

Hudson Shakespeare Company is back in the parks next week with the second installment of its 25th annual Shakespeare in the Parks tour.

Next week the company is performing the lost history and romance play "Edward III" written by William Shakespeare and Thomas Kyd.

Performances are scheduled on Tuesday, July 12, at 7 p.m., at the Secaucus Library; on Thursday, July 21, at 7 p.m., at Hamilton Park in Jersey City; and then on Thursday, July 28, at 7 p.m., at Van Vorst Park in Jersey City.

All of the performances are free.

The play continues with the Hudson Shakespeare Company's retelling of story of the Plantaganet family, which began with last month's "Richard II" and concludes with "Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 in August. That play follows the of downfall of Richard II and the rise of his cousin Henry Bolingbroke and the coming of age of his son Prince Hal.

This month the company looks at Richard and Henry's grandfather, the man who started the Plantaganet dynasty, Edward III and his son Ned, the Black Prince.

"In typical Shakespeare history play fashion England and France are on the warpath once again but this time we have an intriguing and unexpected love story that thrown into the mix with the swordplay and pageantry and quite a bit of comedy," said Jon Ciccarelli, the play's director.



The performance features Ben Forer as Edward III; Keith Hale as King John of France; Isaac Andrew as his son Charles; Rhiannon Lattimer as Prince Ned; and Rachel Matusewicz as Countess Catherine of Salisbury.

The play is set generations earlier than the recent "Richard II" production and the company decided to give this show a more Viking and early medieval feel. "Audiences that joined us for Richard II, will see a completely different look with our Viking 'Edward III' but also there are subtle callbacks to that production and our upcoming Henry IV. Each show has its own look but the sharp eyed audience member will be able to pick out the connective tissue," said Ciccarelli.



Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for the park showings and register for library showings. For more information call 973-449-7443 or visit www.hudsonshakespeare.com.