Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part 2 is the tale of two kings and one fat bloke.
The outsize guy is Sir John Falstaff. It’s not clear how he got that knighthood as he looks like a man more devoted to big meals than good works. He is also given to bawdy deeds and to being what Prince Hal poetically refers to as “the feeder of my riots”.
Falstaff’s anarchic, irreverent wit is remarked upon by many but is never made manifest in this TV production directed by Richard Eyre. Simon Russell Beale is hopelessly miscast in this role as he is not the jolly jester he surely should be.
Fortunately the kings provide more than adequate compensation. Continue reading
