SET in the present day and inspired by the London riots, the new production of Bell Shakespeare’s Henry 4 will premiere at the Playhouse tonight. 

The production is company director John Bell’s adaption of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts One and Two, condensed into one play.

The story has two main plots that intertwine – the first follows a strained relationship between King Henry IV and his rebellious son, Prince Hal, while the second concerns the revolt being plotted against King Henry, by a dissatisfied power bloc.

Bell will both co-direct and play Shakespeare’s “greatest comic invention” Falstaff, seen as an alternative father figure to Prince Hal. He says it’s a role he has always wanted to tackle.

“The Lord of misrule, the life of the party, the corrupter of youth, Falstaff has a gargantuan capacity for enjoying life and a rather pathetic naivete,” Bell says.

David Whitney, well known across musical and classical theatre, will play King Henry.

He stepped into the title role two weeks into the five-week rehearsal period when the originally cast Sean Taylor withdrew for personal reasons.

In his eighth time working with Bell, Whitney is pleased to be premiering at the “fantastic” Playhouse.

“This is such a great theatre, you feel very connected to the audience in this space,” he says.

“I’ve always either worked with John when he is directing or when he is acting, but never both.”

Whitney does admit it’s a little hard to take Bell seriously when he is directing while dressed as Falstaff – Bell had to don a fat suit for the role – but that it is a “masterclass” watching him in action.

“I saw John play Prince Hal in the late 1970s, so it’s kind of amazing now 30 years later to be doing this with him,” he says.

Bell Shakespeare’s “Henry 4” will premiere tonight at The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre, until March 9. Phone 6275 2700 or see canberraticketing.com.au.

Photos by Silas Brown.