UK Theatre Network

SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE

A good  rogering to be had  by all!

Roger Allam plays Falstaff in the Globe premiere of

Henry IV Part 2

Part 2: 3 July – 3 October

Published by: Tremayne

Henry IV Parts 1 and 2:       Part 1: 6 June – 2 October

Part 2: 3 July – 3 October

Artistic Director, Dominic Dromgoole, is in his fifth season at the

Shakespeare’s Globe.

The full cast: Roger Allam, Jason Baughan, Patrick Brennan, Daon Broni, Phil Cheadle, Oliver Coopersmith, Oliver Cotton, Sam Crane, William Gaunt, Christopher Godwin, Sean Kerns, James Lainey, Danny Lee Wynter, Kevork Malikyan, Barbara Marten, Jamie Parker, Paul Rider, Lorna Stuart, Joseph Timms, Jade Williams.

Director: Dominic Dromgoole.

Designer: Jonathan Fensom.

Composer: Claire van Kampen.

Roger Allam (Falstaff) graces us once more with his presence in Part II of Henry IV but, this time around, is even more playful, with an obvious put-on heightened RP accent, intending to mock.

As a writer, and an inquisitive one at that, whenever I observe a play I look closely at the writing and look at whether or not it has been served well, its actors having played their roles truthfully and wholeheartedly.  Personally. I would say that Allam is such an actor but not all the actors in this production were.

There is a point in the production where one of the mistresses pukes onto the stage after undoubtedly having had a heavy session the night before.  Except for the second time her aim is far from perfect. She ends up missing the bucket and the remnants spray onto an audience member, much to the excitement of the other onlookers.

Alam manages to keep up the humorous mode, peeing into a bedpan as he approaches the stage.  I give an inward sigh as, up to this point, Part II has been rather monotonous in the delivery of its speeches.

Kevork Malikyan from channel 4 The Inbetweeners fame, who plays Sir John Coleville in Part II, shows great promise and has a certain presence on stage.

Paul Rider’s interpretation of the Archbishop of York is priceless in the scene where he admits to having consumed too much alcohol at supper.  This is made apparent when he struggles for the words to roll off his tongue.

In summary, I felt  some of the characters played in Part II were a lot stronger, as well as much more camp. Sam Crane (Pistol) pulls this off with finesse.

Neither Part of Henry IV is better than the other. My only suggestion would be, where possible, to try to see each part back-to-back as I was lucky enough to do, or with little gap in between.  After watching Part I, I assure you, you will be gagging for more!