Henry IV, part 2

Though one might assume that the primary character here would be the eponymous king or, at least, his heir, the eventual Henry V (in the context of the play, the rebellious and frivolous Prince Hal), it is instead Sir John Falstaff, the drunken and iniquitous knight, whose existential comedic diatribes serve as counterbalance in this historical play filled with political intrigue, betrayal, and bloodshed. Playing Falstaff in the Globe Theatre's 2010 production is Roger Allam, who earned an Olivier Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the archetypal jester--philosopher. Allam's embodiment of the corpulent Falstaff showcases the complexity of the character, from his verbose wordplay and acquiescence to a life of pleasure to his hypocritical treatment of those in his service and cowardice on the battlefield. Jamie Parker, as Hal, is a worthy foil and companion to Allam; his youthful good looks and playful immaturity juxtapose strikingly with Allam's portrayal of a character who has spent a lifetime in the trenches of delectation, while Hal's forays to the pubs and whorehouses of London are merely the dalliances of juvenility before the assumption of a lifetime of brutal -responsibility. Designed by Jonathan Fensom, the sets are simple, as subtle changes indicate a shift in scene. Director Dominic Dromgoole makes use of the interactive space of the Globe, for example, placing actors in the audience; however, the setup of the theater, whereby patrons in modern dress can be seen chatting or walking behind the action, distracts from a play that requires close scrutiny. VERDICT Ultimately, the Globe production, with its superb cast and understated set, reveals both the beauty with which Shakespeare manipulated the English language and the timeless applicability of the work's themes. Henry IV is not a play for those seeking an introduction to Shakespeare, yet undergrads and scholars would be hard-pressed to find a better staged version of this epic drama.-Christopher Rager, Irvine, CA (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.