Review: Player Kings at The Bristol Hippodrome

Review: Player Kings at The Bristol Hippodrome

Posted on: 04 Jul 2024

A review of Player Kings - Shakespeare's Henry IV Parts 1&2, adapted & directed by Robert Icke.  

 

I went along to this performance with mixed feelings, disappointed that Sir Ian McKellen was unable to perform (we wish him a speedy recovery) and trepidation and nervousness. I haven't been to see a Shakespeare play in over twenty years, and I had no prior experience of this particular play, and my grasp on any history is non-existent! However, I soon slipped back into Shakespeare's language and was soon engrossed in the plot, all was well.

 

I could not help but make the comparison to current events relating to our current royal family, the breakdown in familial relationships, in this case, father and son. Richard Coyle's mannerisms and hand gestures were similar to the current King Charles, whilst Prince Hal and our now Prince Harry could be one and the same.

King Henry IV is disappointed with the behaviour of his eldest son, heir to the throne. Prince Hal is a party prince, drinking, getting caught up in nefarious schemes, running with the wrong crowd, and generally not taking things too seriously. The threat to the crown and rebellion lead to a war which forces Prince Hal to grow up, take responsibility, change his ways, and cast aside old undesirable friends, and influences, notably father-figure Falstaff.

 

Falstaff is a fat knight, obese, prone to excesses of all types; he's a drinker, a womanizer, a braggart, prone to exaggeration, constantly twisting and re-inventing the truth. He is self-interested and looking to further himself by his association with the young Prince Harry. Falstaff's world is one of excess and debauchery, and for Prince Harry is an escape from the seriousness of the Kingdom.

 

 The cast were all superb but outstanding and powerful performances were given by David Semark (Sir John Falstaff), Samuel Edward-Cook (Henry Percy Jr/Hotspur), Richard Coyle (King Henry IV), Toheeb Jimoh (Prince Hal), and Clare Perkins.

Set and Costume Designer, Hildegarde Bechtler worked her magic with the use of subtle scenery changes which didn't distract from the performance. The simple use of background/curtains to separate characters in different places at the same time was cleverly done, aided by the excellent lighting effects by Lighting designer, Lee Curran. I must also mention the great choreography of the battle/fight scenes, thanks to Fight Director, Kev McCurdy.

 

Composer Laura Marling ensured that the music added to and did not detract from the performance. It was subtle and not overpowering, creating the mood - a sombre drumbeat, a sense of impending doom, death and destruction.

 

Shakespeare was the king of insults and witty ripostes. In the performance, there is a fat-shaming diatribe describing Falstaff: “that trunk of humours, that bolting-hutch of beastliness, that swollen parcel of dropsies, that huge bombard of sack, that stuffed cloak-bag of guts, that roasted Manningtree ox with the pudding in his belly”. He certainly had a way with words!

Shakespeare was also an excellent observer of the many facets and foibles of human nature. We are fickle, we adapt to circumstances, we lie and deceive, but we can also be loyal and caring and loving. This was a fantastic modern rendition of Shakespeare's Henry IV… Don't miss it!

 

Players King runs at The Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday 6 July 2024, buy tickets here.

 

Images: Manual Harlan

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Article by:

Colette Hand

Colette Hand (BA Hons in Art & Education Studies). Grandmother to four grandchildren aged 2 to 21, and part-time volunteer at a museum in Bath, writing for 365Bristol mainly on theatre and family activities when not raising money wild swimming around the country!