{"id":48170,"date":"2024-03-21T13:06:34","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T12:06:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2012894"},"modified":"2024-03-21T13:49:50","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T12:49:50","slug":"ian-mckellens-player-kings-to-head-on-uk-tour-how-to-get-tickets-today","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/ian-mckellens-player-kings-to-head-on-uk-tour-how-to-get-tickets-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Ian McKellen\u2019s Player Kings to head on UK tour \u2013 how to get tickets today"},"content":{"rendered":"

This epic adaptation of Shakespeare\u2019s two histories will be kicking off its tour in July. <\/p>

By Olivia Garrett\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 21 March 2024 at 12:06 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Player Kings, starring Ian McKellen, has confirmed a full UK tour this summer following its upcoming West End run.<\/p>\n

The show, currently playing at Manchester\u2019s Opera House, will be spending two months at the No\u00ebl Coward Theatre before heading on to venues in Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich, and Newcastle.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlayer Kings is a version of Shakespeare\u2019s most English plays. So I am glad we are bringing our production across the country which they celebrate,\u201d said McKellen.<\/p>\n

Adapted from two of Shakespeare\u2019s Histories \u2013 Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 \u2013 Player Kings has been brought to life by director Robert Icke, best known for his play The Doctor and adaptations of The Oresteia and 1984.<\/p>\n

It follows a young Prince Hal (the future Henry V) on his journey to kingship. Having been born with no claim to the English throne, the young heir is unwilling to leave behind his life of taverns and parties, and friends like John Falstaff behind, but when duty and his father command him, what else can he do but conform?<\/p>\n

Ahead of the show\u2019s first run, Icke said: \u201cIt\u2019s a genuine honour to work with one of our greatest Shakespearean actors, Ian McKellen, especially as he tackles one of the most iconic Shakespearean roles \u2014 and one he\u2019s previously never turned his hand to.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an exciting challenge to bring together two of Shakespeare\u2019s plays into one production, and I\u2019m so excited to share Player Kings with audiences in the West End and across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alongside McKellen, Player Kings stars Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso) as Hal and Richard Coyle (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore) as King Henry IV. The show will be coming to London\u2019s No\u00ebl Coward from 1st April, before embarking on its tour. Here\u2019s everything you need to know about tickets.<\/p>\n

Buy Player Kings London tickets at ATG Tickets<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Buy Player Kings tour tickets at ATG Tickets<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Hello, Dolly! is \u201cjoyful and funny\u201d<\/a> says Imelda Staunton, plus did you know you can see Adrian Dunbar in Kiss Me, Kate<\/a>?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Who is Ian McKellen in Player Kings?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ian McKellen plays Falstaff, the hard-partying companion to Hal who is later rejected by the young prince.<\/p>\n

A master of puns and word-play, the character has become one of Shakespeare\u2019s most famous comedic roles, who also subsequently appears in the Merry Wives of Windsor and A Midsummer Night\u2019s Dream.<\/p>\n

What is the running time of Player Kings?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Player Kings\u2019 running time is officially three hours and 40 minutes, including a 20-minute interval, but a lot of theatre sources have put the run time at approximately four.<\/p>\n

Our RadioTimes.com<\/a> digital writer Joanna Magill<\/a>, who has seen the play, had this to say: \u201cIt\u2019s worth knowing before going in that the runtime is approximately four hours; however, thanks to the placement of the interval and the brief pause, it doesn\u2019t feel like a challenge to sit through at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Player Kings UK tour dates and venues<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Player Kings has six stops planned, including its current run at the Manchester Opera House Theatre. After that, the show will be heading to London, Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.<\/p>\n