A SPECIAL showing of Shakespeare’s Henry V will be held this week to raise funds for the Newport Ship project.

This 1944 version, directed by and starring Laurence Olivier, was designed as a wartime morale-booster for Britain and shown to the allied troops before they embarked for D-Day.

The play was originally “dedicated to the Commandos and Airborne troops of Great Britain the spirit of whose ancestors it has been humbly attempted to recapture”.

The screening will take place at this Thursday (June 11) at the Riverfront Theatre from 7.30pm.

The Battle at Agincourt was fought on St Crispin’s Day in October 1415 where 500 Welsh archers assembled at Tretower in June 1415 before they marched through Warminster to Portchester to join with the King before sailing to France.

Friends of Newport Ship believe it is possible that the accompanying men at arms, or the whole group, could have come to Newport to take ship across the Severn before marching on through Warminster.

The archer’s wrist guard found in the bilge of the Newport Ship, is indicative of the period and would likely have been worn by a crew member in defence of the ship.

The display will then be on loan from Newport Museum in September to the Royal Armouries at the Tower of London for their main Agincourt 600 exhibition.

Alongside the screening a collection of original photographs taken from the 1944 Laurence Oliver film Henry V will be shown– more than 20 years after they were discovered in an attic.

Newport Councillor Charles Ferris came across the scrapbook of photographs while he was helping clear out the house of a friend’s late uncle who had died in the early 1990s.

The photos, which depict medieval Britain as portrayed in the film, will be displayed as part of commemorations of the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt, organised by Friends of the Newport Ship.

Speaking to the Argus last month Mr Ferris said: “I bought them from my friend as I like Henry V and medieval things and I have always admired the artistry of the photos, and the time and effort Uncle Hubert must have put into collecting them.”

The later 1989 version, directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, will be shown on July 17 at 7.45pm.

To book your tickets: Call the Riverfront Box Office on 01633 656757.

THE Newport Ship centre in Spytty will open its doors to the public on June 26- the first time that the public has been able to see the new premises. From the beginning of the holidays it will be open every Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm throughout the year. Displays, guides, and a play area will be available along with refreshments and merchandise. Entry is free. An official opening will be held later in the year.