London

Player Kings Tickets

Name: Player Kings
Start: 2024-04-01
End: 2024-06-22
Location: Noël Coward Theatre

Production image of Player Kings in London starring Ian McKellen as Falstaff

Production image of Player Kings in London starring ensemble cast.

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Production image of Player Kings in London starring Richard Coyle as Henry.

About Player Kings

Ian McKellen - 'one of the world's greatest actors' (Times) - plays Falstaff in a new version of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, adapted by the award-winning writer and director Robert Icke. A divided country, leadership crumbling, corruption in the air. Welcome to England.

Hal wasn't born to be king. Only now, it seems, he will be. His father longs for him to leave behind his friends in the taverns of Eastcheap, most notably the infamous John Falstaff. War is on the horizon. But will Hal ever come good?

Bringing together Shakespeare's two great history plays (Henry IV, parts 1 and 2), Player Kings will reign over London’s West End for twelve weeks only – playing at the Noël Coward Theatre from April 2024.

Know before you go

Ian Mckellen will not be performing in the last 3 performances (20th-22nd June) due to his recent fall. The role of Sir John Falstaff will be played by David Semark.

Run time

3hr 40min. Incl. 1 Interval.

Start date

1st April, 2024

End date

22nd June, 2024

Venue

Noël Coward Theatre

Age

Ages 14+. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by and sat next to an adult ticketholder (18+). Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted.

513 Reviews

Linda 321043

24 Reviews | 1 Followers

100%

Absorbing, Clever, Entertaining, Enchanting

See it if You love Shakespeare and Ian McKellen. An absolutely thrilling performance throughout.

Don’t see it if You don't like Shakespeare

Lady Susan

79 Reviews | 8 Followers

100%

Masterful, Epic, Great staging, Great acting, Ambitious

See it if you want to see Sir Ian McKellen being both comedic and moving.. and flirtatious. An energetic strong ensemble cast holding their own.

Don’t see it if you don't like to sit and concentrate/stay focused for three hours. But it's worth it because the cast are so good!

Catherine 352

111 Reviews | 13 Followers

97%

Absorbing, Great acting, Great staging, Great writing, Masterful

See it if you are craving for good old theatres. If anything, it’s a bit short (for 2 plays in one) but everything else is good.

Don’t see it if you prefer today’s comedy or musicals. 3.5 hours Shakespeare would be just a sleeping pill for you. Also avoid if cutting script annoys you.

Notafanofmusicals

59 Reviews | 4 Followers

95%

Intense, Intelligent, Great acting, Exquisite, Clever

See it if you like Shakespeare, brilliant acting, a complex set of themes and food for thought

Don’t see it if you want to miss out on something special

Important information

Ian Mckellen will not be performing in the last 3 performances (20th-22nd June) due to his recent fall. The role of Sir John Falstaff will be played by David Semark.

This production contains adult themes, gunshots, strobe, haze and smoking of real cigarettes.

Stars on stage

Ian McKellen

Player Kings cast and creative team

By: Robert Icke, adapted from Henry IV: Parts 1 and 2 by William Shakespeare
Director: Robert Icke
Cast list: Ian McKellen (as Falstaff)
Design: Hildegard Bechtler
Lighting: Lee Curran
Sound: Gareth Fry
Other info: Fight direction by Kev McCurdy

Venue

Noël Coward Theatre

85-88 St Martin's Lane, London, United Kingdom, WC2N 4AU

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Directions

Location: West End
Railway station: Charing Cross
Bus numbers: (Charing Cross) 24, 29, 176; (Strand) 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 87, 91, 139
Night bus numbers: (Charing Cross) 24, 176, N5, N20, N29, N41, N279; (Strand) 6, 23, 139, N9, N15, N11, N13, N21, N26, N44, N47, N87, N89, N91, N155, N343, N551 Car park: St Martin's Lane Hotel (1min)
Directions from tube: (2mins) Take Cranbourn Street away from Leicester Square until St Martin’s Lane, where you head right until you reach the theatre.