Doyen of the London stage Ian McKellen appears in a new version of Shakespeare's Henry IV in 2024 — and tickets are on sale now.
McKellen plays John Falstaff in Player Kings, an adaptation of Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 by award-winning writer and director Robert Icke, himself hailed the "great hope of British theatre."
The show is in London's West end from 1 April-22 June 2024 at the Noel Coward Theatre, and before that has short runs at the New Wimbledon Theatre (1-9 March 2024) as well as Manchester's Palace Theatre & Opera House (14-23 March 2024).
McKellen, who is currently co-starring with Roger Allam in off-West End play Frank & Percy, leads this contemporary fusion of Shakespeare's two Henry IV plays. His character Falstaff is a comical figure who frequents the taverns of Eastcheap, with his friend Hal, who unexpectedly becomes king.
Runs Player Kings' tagline (which you can't help but think might be an appraisal of the country right now): "A divided country, leadership crumbling, corruption in the air. Welcome to England."
Player Kings in London: New Wimbledon Theatre (1-9 March 2024), Noel Coward Theatre (1 April-22 June 2024).
