Player Kings

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About Player Kings

We sell the best theatre tickets for Player Kings, your choice of an enormous ticket inventory with seating maps to help you choose. It’s great to know when tickets for Ian McKellen in Player Kings are going to be such hot property for 2024. So what’s the score?

The play marks Sir Ian’s return to his beloved Shakespeare, a fresh new stage adaptation of Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 created by the award-winning writer and director Robert Icke. McKellen plays the flamboyant boozer and party animal John Falstaff, and the show hits the West End in spring 2024.

This play cleverly blends two great Shakespeare history plays into one to reveal a turbulent time in a divided nation. England is in a mess, and young Prince Hal must learn how to be king whether he likes it or not. He doesn’t like it much at all, being forced to abandon his pub friends and great drinking pal Falstaff.

The previews take place at the New Wimbledon Theatre from 1st to 9th March 2024, then Manchester Opera House from 14th to 23rd March, after which it’s on at the Noël Coward Theatre from 1st April to 22nd June 2024.

What's the story of Player Kings?

Sir Ian McKellen plays the role of Falstaff for the first time, having said no in the past because he felt he didn’t understand the character. Now 84 years old, the actor says he’s taking the part in the new West End adaptation of the Henry IV plays at long last because the director’s take on the story was impossible to say no to. As he said, “Through the years, I’ve resisted offers to play John Falstaff,” but this new version is both ‘ingenious’ and ‘irresistible’.

So what’s the role like? Falstaff is fat, full of himself, mostly drunk, and lives on borrowed money. He’s prince Hal’s best party friend and Hal is reluctant to leave his party lifestyle behind. But his dad the king insists Hal must learn to be king-like, so it’s goodbye to the dodgy pubs of East Cheap and hello to good behaviour. Will Hal succeed?

The character of Falstaff, loved by audiences in the Bard’s day, appears in three Shakespeare plays: Henry IV Part One and Part Two, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. The character is also discussed warmly in Henry V. It’s a perfect role for McKellen, who adores Shakespeare’s work and has appeared in many of his plays during an acting career lasting more than six decades. He’s played Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus, Iago, Richard III, King Lear and many more. Now Falstaff joins the list.

Who is starring in Player Kings?

Sir Ian McKellen stars as Falstaff, and the remainder of the cast will be confirmed nearer the time

Who is on the Player Kings creative team?

The set design is by Hildegard Bechtler, lighting design by Lee Curran, sound design by Gareth Fry, casting by Julia Horan, and fight direction by Kev McCurdy.

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Playing at Noel Coward Theatre (venue info)