Prince Hal, son of Henry IV, seems to be squandering his life among the whores, boozers and petty rogues of Eastcheap. And the greatest of these rogues is the fat knight, Sir John Falstaff, a liar, glutton, lecher, cheat, braggart, fool and sponger who also possesses wit, warmth, intelligence and a gigantic sense of fun. But beside these scenes of glorious misrule gathers a nationwide rebellion led by the Duke of Northumberland and his charismatic son, Hotspur. The first instalment of Shakespeare’s gripping account of the rise of Hal from idle barfly to monarch-in-waiting combines compelling power politics with the hilarious antics of Falstaff, Shakespeare’s greatest comic creation (Roger Allam in his Olivier-award winning role).
Cast
Roger Allam
Sir John Falstaff
Jason Baughan
Westmoreland / Peto / Fang / Wart
Patrick Brennan
Sir Walter Blunt / Sheriff / Lord Chief Justice
Daon Broni
Chamberlain / Mortimer / Hastings / Travers / Drawer / Gloucester
Phil Cheadle
Carrier / Douglas / Lord Bardolph / Davy
Oliver Coopersmith
Falstaff’s Page / Clarence
Oliver Cotton
King Henry IV
Sam Crane
Hotspur / Pistol
William Gaunt
Worcester / Shallow
Christopher Godwin
Northumberland / Traveller / Silence
Sean Kearns
Warwick / Carrier / Vintner / Glendower / Bullcalf
James Lailey
Gadshill / Mowbray / Sir Michael / Gower / Will / Mouldy
Danny Lee Wynter
Poins / Porter / Feeble
Kevork Malikyan
Servant / Vernon / Morton / Snare / Sir John Coleville
Barbara Marten
Mistress Quickly / Lady Northumberland
Jamie Parker
Prince Hal
Paul Rider
Bardolph / Archbishop Of York
Lorna Stuart
Lady Percy
Joseph Timms
John Of Lancaster / Francis / Shadow
Jade Williams
Lady Mortimer / Doll Tearsheet
Crew
Director
Dominic Dromgoole
Designer
Jonathan Fensom
Composer / Musical Director (Company)
Claire Van Kampen
Press Quotes
“One of this popular theatre’s finest achievements… Roger Allam strikes me as the best Falstaff for 20 years… (His) ripe, roguish charisma is as delightful as it is dazzling… The supporting roles are excellently played… I can’t wait to see Part 2”
daily telegraph
“It’s our national pageant, and it’s gloriously available in London’s most informal and genuinely popular theatre”
the independent
“Exhilarating, powerful and poignant”
sunday express
“You feel the warmth in the Globe production: there are precious moments when the hearty savour of Shakespeare’s world takes possession of ours… (Allam is) a truly great Falstaff”
simon schama in the financial times
“Hal, portrayed with marvellous lightness by Jamie Parker… Roger Allam is superb, commanding the difficult Globe stage with such shambolic majesty… William Gaunt is hilarious as doddering Shallow”
time out
