Hermosa Beach About Town

Shakespeare by the Sea

Fans of stirring oratory can stop by Valley Park next Wednesday night for a performance of perhaps the most patriotic Shakespeare play. And those with a more questionable allegiance to the Bard can stop by Thursday evening, for a performance of his shortest.

Shakespeare by the Sea, which is now in its 22nd season of putting on free Shakespeare in public parks throughout Southern California, comes to Hermosa Beach next week. On Wednesday evening, the theater group presents “Henry V,” which tells the story of the title king, who has emerged from a period of youthful immaturity to lead England in a war with France; the play is the source of several common English phrases, including “band of brothers” and “Once more unto the breach.” Then on Thursday comes “The Comedy of Errors,” one of Shakespeare’s earliest works, which features cases of mistaken identity complicated by two sets of identical twins.

Admission is free, but Shakespeare by the Sea representatives will be accepting donations. Performances begin at 7 p.m., with seating on the grass hill between the park bathrooms and the amphitheater