Swords will clang and fake blood will be spilled as members of No Refund Theatre (NRT) perform William Shakespeare's famous history Henry V this weekend in 111 Forum.

The final part of a tetralogy involving four Shakespearean works, Henry V picks up where Henry IV Part II leaves off.

Henry V takes place in the midst of the Hundred Years' War, when the young Henry V ascends to the throne after his father's death. Henry lays claim to land in France, and as a reply, the Dauphin, or future king, of France sends Henry an offending gift of tennis balls. Insulted by this gesture, Henry gathers troops and begins an invasion of France, which culminates in the historic Battle of Agincourt.

Director and 2003 Penn State graduate Jason Cassidy adapted the play for a Penn State audience. The play is shorter, has fewer characters and has been translated into prose, which Cassidy said makes it more accessible.

Additionally, the characters will not speak in English accents and the costumes and props will be anachronistic. Plain black costumes and guns will also be incorporated, the latter of which did not exist in the 15th century, when the original version is set. Actors will still use broadswords for the fight sequences, which were blocked by a professional choreographer.

Sam Horvath (sophomore-finance) will play the titular character, which he describes as "complex and layered." Henry, also known as Harry and Hal in the play, was a troublemaker in his youth. Upon the death of his father, Henry sees the error of his own ways and leads his father's army to battle against the French.

"Henry surprises everyone with his strength, honor and prowess," he said. Horvath said he is familiar with Shakespeare, but the character he will be portraying carries a certain weight, so naturally there is pressure to perform well.

"Henry V is one of the greatest characters in the English language," Horvath said, describing the character's multi-faceted nature. "On one hand, he is a heroic warrior king, but he also has a darkness. He's willing to do anything to win the war."

Ryan Bergman (sophomore-film) plays the Dauphin. Bergman describes his character, Henry's archenemy, as arrogant and very unassuming of Henry's abilities as a monarch.

Cassidy and several actors said traditional Shakespearean style can sometimes intimidate theatergoers.

"People, in general, have a tendency to overlook Shakespeare because of the language," Bergman said. "People would be surprised with how much they'd like Shakespeare. This play has something in it for everyone -- fighting, romance and comedy."

Cassidy said the "imaginative and unrealistic" production describes what he thinks would happen if a child played out the story line with his action figures.

Despite the fantasy elements of the production, he said his version of Henry V still tells the same story -- a story contemporary audiences can appreciate.

"The play is still as relevant today as it was 400 years ago," Cassidy said. "It's about trying to be a good person in a bad time."