Roger Allam as Falstaff in Henry IV Part II © John Haynes

Henry IV: Reviews

Find out what the critics had to say about Roger Allam’s award winning performance as Sir John Falstaff in Henry IV at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre…

Allam (…) displays a great comic actor’s mastery of his role, gives the setpiece speeches with wit and authority, but also delivers some of Falstaff’s most brilliant asides with perfect timing.

– The Observer, 18 July 2010

But he’s buoyed on a bubble of wit and clever bartering throughout, and insists on keeping the audience in on the joke. It’s the kind of performance that prospers in the Globe, hogging 20 per cent of all lines across the two plays, and Allam has probably never generated as much affection in all the years of his career at the RSC and elsewhere.

– The Independent, 16 July 2010

Allam is so watchable and articulate (and, yes, funny) that you almost forget that Falstaff is a corrupted bag of toxins.

– The Arts Desk, 16 July 2010

Henry IV

Allam’s ripe, roguish charisma is as delightful as it is dazzling.

– The Telegraph, 15 July 2010

Both plays only sing when Parker and Allam are on stage.

– The Guardian, 15 July 2010

Perhaps Part 2 suffers from sequel syndrome, with comic set pieces showcasing Falstaff’s carry-on. But what a carry-on Allam makes of it. Although generously padded out to ensure his skin ‘hangs about him like an old lady’s loose gown’, it’s the sheer force of his charismatic personality that fills the stage.

– The Daily Mail, 15 July 2010

One thought on “Henry IV: Reviews

  1. Dear Mr Allam — just wanted to drop you a line in appreciation of your Falstaff. I’m rewatching Henry IV pt 1 again (after a long break) and I’m loving it so much. Truly, it’s one of my favourite performances of any genre by any actor ever. Quite simply, I adore it. Thank you. I count myself beyond lucky to be living in a time when not only did you do this, but thanks to dvd I get to watch and rewatch you do it. Bless you, and all the best for the last series of Endeavour. Another superlative piece of British dramatic entertainment.

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