Shakespeare's Globe: Henry IV, Part 1

This review is only for part I.

I don't understand what exactly Roger Allam did with Falstaff in this production, but this is the best Falstaff I have ever seen. The Globe audience absolutely loved him, and I did too even though in other productions I've thought him a bit tiresome. They say the soul of comedy is timing, and maybe that's it (I'm thinking of his revival from the dead). But regardless, it's easy to see why Allam won a prize for it.

But the other actors were all excellent as well: Hal was as charismatic as I've ever seen him, and the king, although too hefty IMO, was kingly. I did have trouble accepting a blond Hotspur, and by the end I thought he was getting positively psychopathic, but his acting left nothing to be desired. So far every production I've seen by Dominic Dromgoole has been excellent.

This production had atmospheric videos projected on a rear curtain which worked very well. Recommended for anyone.

Shakespeare's historical plays have as much interest value as his comedies and tragedies and should be known more, 'Richard III' being the best known of them perhaps namely for the title character. Written in two parts, 'Henry IV Part I' (actually both parts) is definitely no exception to that and mixes comedy and drama expertly. Of the two parts, talking about the plays and not quite yet the production, there is a slight personal preference for the richer second part.

This Shakespeare Globe production is terrific in so many ways and overall. So is the even better Part 2. While the 'The Hollow Crown' adaptation is my personal favourite production available (the same applies for Part 2 as well), this production is one of the better ones seen personally. Primarily because of the performance of Falstaff and how well it captures the spirit of the play and balances so well the different elements. Of the filmed Globe productions from 2010-present, this and Part 2 are among the standout productions.

Hard to know where to begin with the praise. A good starting point would be Roger Allam's truly magnificent Falstaff, he has seldom been funnier and he balances that with touching poignancy later on brilliantly. Jamie Parker has great charisma, suitable youthfulness and an endearing swagger as Prince Hal. Their relationship is the most crucial one to get right and it is nailed here. It is easy to overlook the titular character (Henry IV), with his role in the play not being as big as the title implies (the biggest role is actually Falstaff), but Oliver Cotton is suitably anguished. Sam Crane is very good as Hotspur.

Production values are both atmospheric and beautifully detailed. Really liked the intimacy of the photography, which makes one feel like they are there while not trying to do too much, while the audience interaction is fun. The staging is very absorbing and energetic, which is also faithful and in good taste. It was nice to see more emphasis on the comedy, as both parts of 'Henry IV' can risk being overly serious (especially Part 2), which is not over-played. Falstaff is riotously funny without mugging. The drama is moving and human and the political elements aren't laid on too thick.

Did think that Henry's dressing down of Hal is nowhere near as powerful as it was in the adaptation for 'The Hollow Crown' (no other production has done that scene better than that), which had more tension.

Maybe it is a bit of a slow starter, but it is also true of the play.

Great production on the whole. 9/10.

After a semester on English medieval history, I have enjoyed sampling available productions of the rich Shakespeare plays on several of those monarchs and comparing different versions.This live Globe presentation of Henry IV part 1 benefits from audience reactions which bring out the inherent comedy better than in a canned filmed attempt such as the one in the Hollow Crown series.Though sometimes the boisterous response to something that doesn't, seem all that hilarious is reminiscent of the canned laughter on a TV sitcom.Roger Allam, who I usually associate with sarcastic upper crust roles in film and television, does a forceful job of bringing the Falstaff character front and center and reminds us (as Welles also realized in his Chimes at Midnight movie) that Sir John rather than the King of the play,s title is really the main point of interest.The staging is lively and the length of the video, about 47 minutes more than the Hollow Crown equivalent, includes bits of business that were trimmed for a more comfortable 2 hour format there.