Player Kings Tickets

National treasure Sir Ian McKellen will play the role of Falstaff in Robert Icke’s production of Player Kings, beautifully adapted from Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts 1 and 2. McKellen is billed as one of the world’s greatest actors. Director and writer Robert Icke is an award winner in his own right. In combination they’re nothing far short of explosive.

Player Kings tickets – A 12 week run

The play brings Shakespeare’s great history plays, Henry IV, parts 1 and 2, together to create something you’ll never forget. It’s on stage for a limited 12 week run at the Noël Coward Theatre, from 1st April to 22nd June 2024, following previews at the New Wimbledon Theatre and Manchester Opera House.

See Ian McKellen in Player Kings

Sir Ian McKellen, who is 84 years old, plays Falstaff. His varied career has taken him from starring roles in Hollywood movies, including Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, to the stage, radio, and TV. He played the King in the movie Richard III, James Whale in Gods and Monsters, Magneto in the X-Men films, and starred in 1993’s Six Degrees of Separation, 1995’s Restoration, and The Good Liar in 2019.

McKellen is a familiar face in the West End’s many theatres, known as an actor who’s utterly obsessed with Shakespeare. His one-man show exploring some of the Bard’s best-loved characters delighted audiences and critics alike. Last but not least he’s no stranger to panto.

As he said, “I decided to become a professional actor at Cambridge in 1959, when I was in John Barton’s undergraduate production of Henry IV. Derek Jacobi played Prince Hal and I was the ancient Justice Shallow. Ever since, the plays have been among my favourite Shakespeares, although through the years I’ve resisted offers to play John Falstaff. Robert Icke’s ingenious adaptation was irresistible.”

As Robert Icke said, “It’s a genuine honour to work with one of our greatest Shakespearean actors, Ian McKellen, especially as he tackles one of the most iconic Shakespearean roles - and one he’s previously never turned his hand to. It’s an exciting challenge to bring together two of Shakespeare’s plays into one production, and I’m so excited to share Player Kings with audiences in the West End and across the country.”

All about Player Kings – Shakespeare’s finest

The scene is familiar: the nation is divided, its leadership is failing, and everywhere you look there’s corruption. It sounds just like today, which makes this play more relevant than ever. Welcome to England!

Hal wasn’t supposed to be a king. But that’s what fate has in store for him. Hal’s dad wants him to abandon his enjoyable life spent in the pubs and streets of London, leaving his scandalous boozing friend John Falstaff behind. War is in the air but can Hal fulfil his crucial role, or will he fail miserably?

The full Player Kings cast and creative team

The rest of the cast will be confirmed nearer the time. The creative team members include the Designer Hildegard Bechtler and the Lighting Designer Lee Curran. The Fight Director is Kev McCurdy, the Sound Designer Gareth Fry, and the Casting Director Julia Horan.