Bell Shakespeare's HENRY 4 comes to State Theatre Centre, 4/5-4/13

Bell Shakespeare kicks off 2013 with an exciting new production of Henry 4, directed by and starring Co-Artistic Director John Bell making his debut as Falstaff. Set in the present day and inspired by the 2011 London Riots, this new production of Henry 4, presents a fresh Australian perspective on English history and culture, with its monarchy, class system and civil unrest.

This is John Bell's adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry IV Parts One and Two, meshed into one play, Henry 4. The story has two main plots that intertwine; the first follows the strained relationship between a rebellious son and autocratic, domineering father, the second concerns the revolt being plotted against King Henry, by a dissatisfied power bloC. Henry Bolingbroke has fought to usurp the throne of his cousin Richard II, but when he assumes the title of King Henry IV, his teenage son Prince Hal, shows a particular disregard for his newfound status.

He prefers to spend his time in pubs with petty criminals and prostitutes, and with an old reprobate named Falstaff. It is only when a rebellion is staged against the new king that the teenage rebel, Prince Hal, rallies to his father's side and transforms himself into the charismatic hero Henry V. Co-Artistic Director John Bell directs this epic tale as well as fulfilling a lifelong ambition of playing Shakespeare's greatest comic role, Falstaff. "The Lord of misrule, the life of the party, the corruptor of youth, Falstaff has a gargantuan capacity for enjoying life and a rather pathetic naiveté. His is a nature without malice. He charms us with his lively wit, his mighty intelligence and healthy scepticism. It's a role I'm looking forward to finally tackling," said John. Assisting him in directing the play is Damien Ryan, a familiar face at Bell Shakespeare, as well as being

John will be joined by 13 of Australia's finest actors in bringing to life this populous story of kings and beggars, heroes and cowards, lovers and clowns. David Whitney, well-known across musical and classic theatre, will play King Henry IV and Matthew Moore, an Australian favourite across theatre, stage and film, will play Prince Hal.

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