Player Kings tickets

See the legendary Sir Ian McKellen as Sir John Falstaff in Player Kings, a new version of Shakespeare’s mighty history plays Henry IV: Parts 1 and 2, adapted and directed by award-winning writer and director Robert Icke. Book Player Kings tickets on London Theatre now.

Based on the turbulent reign of Henry IV and set in a divided England in 1403, the Player Kings play builds toward the climactic Battle of Shrewsbury. Henry IV struggles to maintain his shaky claim to the throne as a group of rebel noblemen plot to overthrow him.

But the best part of Shakespeare’s play is Prince Hal’s misadventures in the pubs of London with drunken knight John Falstaff — and with McKellen in the role, we can expect this strand of the play to be front and centre. Can their friendship survive the pressures of kingship?

Before Player Kings in the West End, the renowned McKellen last appeared in the charming Frank & Percy at The Other Palace opposite Roger Allam. At Christmas 2022 and early 2023, he toured in the title role in the pantomime Mother Goose. His most recent Shakespeare appearance was as Hamlet at Theatre Royal, Windsor. He has been nominated for countless acting awards and is a six-time Olivier Award recipient.

Audiences and critics celebrate Icke’s productions of the classics for their fresh and gripping storytelling. He became the youngest Olivier Award winner for Best Director for Oresteia in 2016. In 2023, his acclaimed play The Doctor played at the Almeida Theatre, in the West End, and in New York. Noted for his inventive use of technology, Icke has put on Shakespeare stagings include Hamlet (starring Andrew Scott), which was acclaimed for its high-tech CCTV concept. Audiences can surely expect similar innovation from this medieval-set but thematically contemporary Shakespeare revisal.

Tickets to Player Kings in London are available now. Book your Player Kings tickets on London Theatre today.