Into an England ripped apart by civil war strides the gigantic figure of Sir John Falstaff, Shakespeare’s most endearing and brilliantly comedic rogue. In this exciting new adaptation of Henry IV, Parts I & II by Errol Durbach, we follow Sir John as he leads the young Prince Hal in a series of wild adventures. As Hal’s father, Henry IV, fights a deadly battle to retain control of the English throne, the King and Falstaff engage in an unforgettable struggle for the heart and mind of the future Henry V. Friendship or honour, pleasure or duty, loyalty or betrayal – which path will Hal choose?
THE STORY – Falstaff (Henry IV, Parts I & II)
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We pick up the story after the events of last season’s Richard II. Henry Bollingbroke has become King Henry IV after usurping the throne from his cousin, King Richard II. The murder of Richard in prison has secured Henry’s place on the throne for now, but trouble is brewing. The same noblemen who helped him gain the crown are now dissatisfied. Meanwhile, his son, Hal, the Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, spends his time in ale houses and brothels in the company of commoners and, notably, Sir John Falstaff, a fat knight notorious for his drinking and debauchery.
While Prince Hal dallies with his friends in Eastcheap, King Henry faces rebellion. The Welsh insurgent, Owen Glendower, has taken the King’s cousin, Edmund Mortimer, prisoner, while the Duke of Northumberland, his brother the Earl of Worcester and his son Harry Percy (also called Hotspur) become increasingly unhappy. Hotspur, insulted by what he perceives as the King’s ingratitude, resolves to join Mortimer (who is his wife’s brother) and Glendower, now allies against the king, in open rebellion.
Meanwhile Hal, Falstaff, Poins, Bardolph and Mistress Quickly discuss a plan to rob some Pilgrims going to Canterbury. However, after Falstaff and Bardolph carry out the robbery, Hal and Poins arrive, masked, to steal the booty and scare their pals away. Back at the tavern, Falstaff, retells of the adventure with his own colourful version of events.
The King summons Prince Hal to see him. Although the Prince and Falstaff playfully act out the imagined scene in the tavern the night before the meeting, when the prince sees his father, he assures him of his loyalty. He vows to ‘wear a garment all of blood’ to redeem his honour in his father’s eyes, defeating Hotspur on the battlefield.
In spite of his deteriorating health, Falstaff is given a commission in the King’s army. His first task is to muster men. However, he accepts bribes from the strongest and healthiest men, who buy their way out of service, and is left with a weak and sickly band.
As the battle approaches, Northumberland is sick and Glendower and Mortimer not yet prepared, which leaves Hotspur and the Scottish lord, Douglas, alone. Although the King’s forces greatly outnumber his, Hotspur insists on persevering. In the battle, Prince Hal first saves King Henry’s life, then kills Hotspur in a one-on-one fight. Falstaff, who has played dead to avoid combat, stabs the dead Hotspur with his sword and carries the body away to claim the victory for himself.
The rebellion successfully put down, the King’s health begins to fail. Although the Prince has returned to his friends in Eastcheap, he doesn’t seem to have the same enthusiasm for life there. He visits his father on his deathbed, reiterating his desire to live an honourable life. King Henry dies and Prince Hal immediately becomes King Henry V. When Falstaff hears the news, he rushes to the court, confident that the new king will lavish great favours on him. However, when Falstaff approaches his old friend, the new king says, "I know thee not, old man." Devastated, Falstaff returns to drinking and he dies, as one of his cronies suggests, of a broken heart. The former Prince Hal moves on to become the famous Henry V.
