“Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” A Shakespearean quote from the play, “Henry IV,” yes, but for Wil Johnson, the actor who will play King Henry in this week’s Southern Shakespeare performance in Tallahassee — nobody could have guessed how getting that “crown” placed on his head would cause not only “uneasiness” — but near panic for everyone involved in the theatrical production.
It even took a Washington, D.C., intervention to set things right.
But first, let’s set the stage.
Wil Johnson, is a British Shakespearean actor trained in the cadences of the Bard. He has, since his Tallahassee debut with the “first” Southern Shakespeare iteration in 1996, gone on to star in at least 11 films, 23 television series, and dozens of theater productions.
Many will know him from his starring roles in “Waking the Dead,” “Babyfather,” “House of the Dragon,” and “Outlander,” as well as dozens of Shakespearean plays.
So, there is likely little that could make the experienced actor miss a cue or a dramatic entry — unless he actually WASN’T PRESENT to put on the costumes and speak the lines. And that is almost what happened as the time for rehearsals for “Henry IV” began in Tallahassee and Johnson’s previously approved visa was suddenly refused.
Visa drama takes center stage before opening night
Bianca Montague, Executive Director of Southern Shakespeare, and immigration attorney Elizabeth Ricci spoke with the Tallahassee Democrat recalling the machinations involved in Johnson’s finally obtaining the long-requested visa from the American Embassy in London. And it might not have been possible without the intervention of Senator Ashley Moody.
Working pro bono, Ricci says that the original application for a visa to come to the U.S. had been filed in early December, 2024, in order for the Britain-based Johnson to participate in the 10th Anniversary celebration of the “new” Southern Shakespeare Company in May of 2025.
It was what is called a O-1 Visa, specific for “individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, art, education, business, or athletics.” Johnson certainly qualified as an acclaimed actor. Next, it was necessary to present a statement from an actor’s trade union in the U.S. demonstrating “no objection” to Johnson’s work here and that he would not be taking work away from an American citizen.
On Dec. 13, attorney Ricci filed with the UCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) a 370-page dossier, which also included a required statement from Johnson’s talent agency: “Identity Agency Group.”
The agency, IAG, on its website says it “represents the very best in diverse, groundbreaking talent,” and that “it burst on the scene as a response to the lack of diversity across the screen, television and film.” Johnson is Black and describes himself as of West Indian heritage.
A visa ‘refused’ and a call for Congressional assistance
And with that filing, everything seems to have gone quiet. For almost four months there was no word as to the approval of Johnson’s visa. On March 4, Ricci advised the nonprofit Southern Shakespeare to pay the $2,805 for “Premium Processing” of Johnson’s visa. Tallahassee rehearsals for the entire production would begin in less than a month.
By March 24, things seemed to have smoothed out. UCIS had approved all the paperwork and it was time to set up an in-person appointment for Johnson at the American Embassy in London. At the appointment, he was verbally told he was “Approved for a visa to the U.S.”
Normally, he would have given them his passport which would be returned with the new visa. But Johnson was headed to act in Spain for a week, needed the passport, and agreed to bring it in as soon as he returned — which he did. But even after turning over his passport, when he glanced at his online visa status, it now suddenly said, “Refused.”
Stateside, the entire production of “Henry IV” hung on the outcome of Johnson obtaining the visa. Attorney Ricci says she sent a flurry of emails to the American Embassy to clarify what was happening. But she also suggested to Southern Shakespeare management that more help was needed and that they try to reach out for Congressional assistance.
Days before opening night, Sen. Ashley Moody steps in
There were only eight working days left before the performances were to begin. Costumes, staging, rehearsing with other actors had not taken place, and the huge financial commitment for the nonprofit theater company hung over everyone’s head.
Both Ricci and Montague say, “We will likely never know what happened,” but they do know that Sen. Ashley Moody got involved. By Monday, April 28, Johnson received his passport and his visa to the U.S. He arrived in the evening on Wednesday, April 30, and began rehearsals in Tallahassee the next day, a week before the crown of Henry IV would be formally placed on his head in the Adderley Amphitheater.
Bianca Montague adds, “Wil has just been amazing. He has not performed this role before. There are long speeches involved that require lots of memorization! But during all of the confusion, he just kept learning his lines and looking forward.”
A little Tallahassee Shakespeare history
For though in 1403, King Henry the IV may have felt stressed, the head of Johnson, the actor extraordinaire who will in fact put on Henry’s crown during Southern Shakespeare’s May 8-11 performance of “Henry the IV, Part 1,” seems to have remained tranquil — despite the “visa issues” that almost prevented him from arriving for the performance rehearsals.
Johnson’s appearance at this year’s 10th anniversary of the (new) Southern Shakespeare Festival is indeed a homecoming. Having prominent roles in “Midsummer Night’s Dream” in 1996 and “The Taming of the Shrew” in 1997, he was one of the first stars to bring to fruition the dream of Richard Fallon (the late dean of the Florida State University School of Theater) and Michael Trout who envisioned “free Shakespeare” for the city of Tallahassee.
Much like Joseph Papp’s famed “Shakespeare in the Park” in New York City, Fallon and Trout believed that modern theater lovers would respond to top-notch actors and Shakespeare’s eternal words. And they did. Beginning in 1995, for 15 years, playing in an open-air setting in Kleman Plaza, with a Renaissance-fair ambiance, the crowds grew year after year.
But by 2000, both their own success and the building-out of Tallahassee’s downtown real estate drew that era to an end. There just wasn’t room to accommodate the theater and the crowds.
It wasn’t until 2015 that the Shakespearean hiatus was interrupted with the help of Dr. Kevin Carr. With the building of the spacious Cascades Amphitheater it was time for Southern Shakespeare to shake its ruff, pull up its tights, and resume the sold-out performances the city now clamored for.
Today, with support from the City of Tallahassee, COCA, State of Florida Cultural Affairs Department, the Leon County Tourist Development Council, and Tallahassee State College, Southern Shakespeare has expanded its cultural outreach.
With the youth company, The Bardlings, who play at The Moon, the Challenger Learning Center, and make “Bard Crawls” bringing Shakespeare into schools and public spaces, as well as “Shakespeare Man” and “Sonnet Man” to make the sound of old English as comfortable to the ear as a good piece of rap poetry, the Tallahassee community is thrilled to celebrate Southern Shakespeare’s 10th – or if you count from the beginning, its 30th anniversary.
As to the weather, the show will go on, with performances moving to the Maguire Center in Westminster Oaks and The Moon in case of rain. “The plan is to make that decision day by day,” Montague said. “For now, we are still planning on opening in the park. We are crossing our fingers that it rains all day and clears up around 6 p.m. in order for us to still take the stage at 7:30 p.m.
If you go
Here are some Festival quick facts:
What: Southern Shakespeare Festival presents “Henry IV, Part 1” featuring Wil Johnson
When: Showtime is 7:30 p.m. May 8-10. Festival opens at 5 p.m. May 8 and May 9 and 5 p.m. May 10-11. Enjoy food trucks, arts and crafts, and live demonstrations throughout the park.
Where: Adderley Amphitheater, Cascades Park; case of rain Westminster Oaks and The Moon
Cost: Free and family-friendly
Touch Tours for the Visually Impaired: 5 p.m. May 8 and 9. Advance sign up required.
ASL Enhanced Performance: 7:30 p.m. May 10. This inclusive performance features American Sign Language interpretation for all to enjoy.
Meet the Cast / Autograph Signing: May 8 after the show: Join us for a special meet-and-greet with cast members after the evening’s performance in the plaza behind the amphitheater. Posters are $15; Playbills are free.
Sonnet Contest Winner Showcase : 6 p.m. May 9. Celebrate creativity with a special presentation of winning entries from our Sonnet Contest.
Note: Please be advised: this production contains scenes of violence, simulated blood, and loud sound effects including explosions.
“Twelfth Night” by The Bardlings: 5 p.m. May 10 and 11. Enjoy a delightful youth performance by junior acting troupe.
Inclement weather plan
In the event of inclement weather, performances will be moved indoors to the Maguire Center auditorium at Westminster Oaks, 4449 Meandering Way, at 7:30 p.m. May 8 & May 9. On Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 10, events move to The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St., and “Henry IV, Part I” at 7:30 p.m. The Bardlings will present “Twelfth Night” at 5 p.m. May 10-11 at the Maguire Center. The Maguire Center holds 250 people, so seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. The Moon capacity is 600 people. Visit southernshakespearefestival.org.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: ‘Henry IV’ star takes stage after visa drama almost upends Tallahassee Shakespeare show
Reporting by Marina Brown / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
