The Kings Play with Sir Ian McKellen

'It has been fascinating and indeed a huge privilege to work alongside such a giant of British acting as Sir Ian McAllen and to have the privilege to sketch and watch him up close during rehearsals and in his dressing room.

My deepest thanks to Sir Ian, the phenomenal Robert Icke, Toheeb Jimoh, Richard Coyle and all the cast and crew for tolerating a painter during rehearsals! '

These artworks were exhibited in London for the opening night at The Noel Coward Theatre.

The Player Kings Play 2024 stage production that merges Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, adapted and directed by Robert Icke. The play stars Sir Ian McKellen as Sir John Falstaff, marking his first portrayal of this iconic character. The production premiered with previews at the New Wimbledon Theatre and Manchester Opera House before a 12-week run at London’s Noël Coward Theatre, concluding on June 22, 2024. A UK tour followed, including performances in Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich, and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Robert Icke’s adaptation condenses the two original plays into a single, cohesive narrative, aiming to present a more immediate and contemporary experience. Icke reimagines Falstaff not as the traditional jovial figure but as a more complex character, describing him as “a criminal, not a jolly Santa figure” .

Ian McKellen’s portrayal of Falstaff has been widely acclaimed. Critics have praised his performance for its depth and nuance, with The Guardian highlighting his “radically moving” interpretation that turns Shakespeare’s embodiment of “rude life” inside out. McKellen himself described Falstaff as “the ultimate gangster,” noting that Robert Icke’s “ingenious adaptation” made the role irresistible after years of declining it.