McKellen’s roistering rogue saves Bard’s four-hour epic
THE indefatigable Sir Ian McKellen is at it again.
Having played most of the great roles in the Bard’s canon, he takes on Elizabeth I’s favourite Shakespearean character, Falstaff – the “Fat Knight” – in Robert Icke’s modern dress version of Henry IV parts one and two.
At nearly four hours, it occasionally begs the question “Are we nearly there yet?”
But McKellen keeps us entertained for most of the journey.
The roistering rogue is first seen in his watering hole enjoying the company of young people cavorting to a post-punk blast of music while he quaffs by the gallon.
He is every inch (and there are a lot of inches thanks to a fat suit) the shameless, self-serving, party animal who reigns like a dissolute monarch over his young acolytes that include Prince Harry (Toheeb
Jimoh), whose bare behind is on display in booze ‘n’ drugsfuelled debauchery.
Meanwhile, Henry IV (Richard Coyle) is attempting to deal with uppity Scottish nobles rebelling against Westminster rule.
The parallels with contemporary Britain are clear.
Prince “Hal” Henry is going to have to put away adolescent things eventually when he succeeds his ailing Dad and that includes turning his back on former playmates, Falstaff included.
Icke’s production is relatively unadorned, played out against brick walls and simple curtains and some scenes seem to drag.
There are some mischievous details, though, that reward the patient observer. In her blue business suit and executive hairstyle, the King’s adviser Warwick (Annette McLaughlin) could double for Liz Truss. And Falstaff’s “commercial” for his own brand of sherry recalls similar adverts by Orson Welles (who played Falstaff in his film Chimes at Midnight).
The Battle of Shrewsbury is effectively conveyed by explosions while men duel.
And the second half picks up as McKellen stops acting like a drunken Paddington Bear and locates the pathos and mortal disappointment of an old retainer pushed aside by his former friend.
It’s a great performance in a production that isn’t quite worthy of him.