Player Kings West End

Player Kings

Opened: April 1, 2024
Closing: June 22, 2024
Buy Tickets from: £21

Player Kings - West End Tickets, News, Info & More

Noel Coward Theatre
85-88 St Martin's Ln, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4AP, United Kingdom London

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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.

__Assisted Performances__

Captioned Performance: Saturday 1 June 2024 - 2.30pm

Audio described Performance: Saturday 15 June 2024 - 2.30pm

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Player Kings

Ian McKellen is a mesmerising Falstaff in Robert Icke's iconoclastic fusion of Henry IV parts 1 and 2
8 / 10

Watching an Icke production is like having brain surgery. The auteur has made his name with ice cold reinventions of classic plays that sliced straight into you with scalpel like precision. Whilst no stranger to Shakespeare, Player Kings is a step out the comfort zone: there’s still the heavy themes firing together and against each other like synapses, but here it's soaked in bawdy earthiness and barrels of acidic wit thanks to Falstaff.

Ian McKellen’s energy is astounding
8 / 10

For all these plays’ wider concerns about a divided kingdom beleaguered by factions and rebellion, Icke sensibly focuses on the all-important central issue: which of the two available father figures will wayward Prince Hal (Toheeb Jimoh) choose to emulate? Will it be distant, pensive King Henry (Richard Coyle), visibly buckling under the weight of majesty? Or will it be the roistering Falstaff, lording it over a den of low-lives in the scrappy taverns of Eastcheap?

Review Roundup: What Did the Critics Think of Ian McKellen in PLAYER KINGS?
by Aliya Al-Hassan - April 12, 2024


Bringing together Shakespeare's two great history plays, Player Kings is now open at the Noël Coward Theatre. Ian McKellen 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. 

Review: PLAYER KINGS, Noël Coward Theatre
by Alexander Cohen - April 12, 2024


Ian McKellen is a mesmerizingly athletic Falstaff in Robert Icke's iconoclastic fusion of Henry IV parts 1 and 2

Photo: Check Out All New Artwork For Ian McKellen-Led PLAYER KINGS
by Stephi Wild - March 29, 2024


Player Kings, led by Ian McKellen, has released all new artwork ahead of its first preview in the West End this Monday 1 April. Check out the photo here!

PLAYER KINGS Starring Ian McKellen Will Embark on UK Tour
by Stephi Wild - March 21, 2024


Ian McKellen-led Player Kings, adapted and directed by Robert Icke from William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 is to go on a UK tour following its West End run.

Photo: First Look at Ian McKellen as Falstaff in PLAYER KINGS
by Stephi Wild - March 1, 2024


An all new photo has been released of Ian McKellen as Falstaff in Player Kings. Check out the photo here!

Interview: 'She's Quite a Character!': Actor Clare Perkins on Modernising Shakespeare and Playing Mistress Quickly in Robert Icke's PLAYER KINGS
by Kat Mokrynski - February 22, 2024


Player Kings, a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, arrives on the West End in April. Recently, we had the chance to speak with Clare Perkins, who plays Mistress Quickly. We discussed taking on a modern version of Shakespeare and what she hopes audiences take away from the work.

Photos: Inside Rehearsal For PLAYER KINGS, Starring Ian McKellen!
by Stephi Wild - January 30, 2024


Rehearsal photos have been released for Player Kings, adapted by Robert Icke from William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2.  Check out the photos here!

Toheeb Jimoh and Richard Coyle Join Ian McKellen in Robert Icke's Production of PLAYER KINGS
by Stephi Wild - January 19, 2024


The full cast has been revealed for Player Kings, adapted by Robert Icke from William Shakespeare's Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2.

Player Kings FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Player Kings have there been?
Player Kings has had 1 productions including West End which opened in 2024.
What theatre is Player Kings playing at on the West End?
Player Kings is playing at the Noel Coward Theatre, which is located at 85-88 St Martin's Ln, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4AP, United Kingdom London.

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