Henry IV by William Shakespeare, Part 1

Director: Dominic Dromgoole

Cast: Roger Allam, Jamie Parker, Oliver Cotton, William Gaunt, Sam Crane, Christopher Godwin

Compelling power politics and the hilarious antics of Falstaff combine in the first part of this masterpiece, recorded during the 2010 'Kings and Rogues' season at Shakespeare's Globe. Described by The Stage as "spellbinding", Dominic Dromgoole's faithful, enormously entertaining production of 'Henry IV' is perfectly suited to the reconstructed Shakespeare's Globe theatre. Part one delivers plenty of knockabout fun, as it charts the rise of idle barfly Prince Hal (Jamie Parker) to monarch-in-waiting. Forsaking the Royal Court, the young wastrel vexes his father, King Henry IV (Oliver Cotton), by squandering his life among the whores, boozers and petty rogues of Eastcheap. None is more roguish and corrupt than the fat knight, Sir John Falstaff (Roger Allam), a liar, glutton, lecher, cheat, braggart, fool and sponger. That he also possesses wit, warmth, intelligence and a gigantic sense of fun is the chief attraction for Hal, who quickly tired of stifling court life. Meanwhile, a rebellion is brewing, led by the Duke of Northumberland (Christopher Godwin) and his charismatic son, Hotspur (Sam Crane).