Player Kings Tickets

Ian McKellen Player Kings Tickets: The Theatre Event of 2024

Ian McKellen proves yet again why he is “one of the world’s greatest actors” (The Times) as he takes on Shakespeare’s Falstaff in Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre. Olivier Award-winning director Robert Icke’s new version of Henry IV Parts I & II brings the boastful knight to the forefront, with a towering performance from McKellen making this the completely unmissable theatrical event of the season.

About Player Kings

The country is divided, its leadership is crumbling, and corruption is in the air. England has always been in crisis and never more than in Shakespeare’s great historical two-parter. As the King frets about his weakening control and encroaching enemies, his son Hal is frittering away his youth in Eastcheap’s most notorious taverns. By his side is Sir John Falstaff, an aging knight who loves to spin a yarn and boast about his alleged triumphs.

War is coming, but can Hal step up to the plate?

Player Kings distills Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part I and Henry IV Part II into a powerful single part, revised and reinterpreted by Olivier Award-winning writer and director Robert Icke. Icke’s keen eye for retelling European classics has earned him plaudits and audience acclaim, with credits including Hamlet starring Andrew Scott, The Doctor starring Juliet Stevenson and George Orwell’s 1984.

Ian McKellen in Player Kings

Ian McKellen stars as one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragi-comic creations, Sir John Falstaff. This larger-than-life character is an audience favourite, a joy to watch, and adds another iconic role to McKellen’s already heaving theatre credits. He has played Hamlet, Richard III and King Lear on stage and is the recipient of six Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, five BAFTAs and two Academy Award nominations. Most recently, he delighted West End crowds in tender comedy Frank & Percy, opposite Roger Allam.

Tickets For Player Kings at Noel Coward Theatre Available Soon

McKellen and Shakespeare go together like horse and carriage, and in this luminous new play you can see a master of his craft take on one of the greatest figures in the Bard’s work. Player Kings is in London for just 12 weeks, so book early for its short but epic reign!