Roger Allam as Falstaff - is it really him?

If I didn't already know Roger Allam was a superb actor, I would be on the phone to Dominic Dromgoole at Shakespeare's Globe this morning with a question.  How did he persuade Christopher Hitchens
to grow a shaggy beard, take a break from column-writing and take on the role of Falstaff in London?  For anyone who isn't familiar with the Hitchens style, look him up on Youtube.  Whether or not Roger Allam has modelled his performance in Henry IV on the combative, talkative and generally hungover Mr H, the resemblance, particularly in the voice -- old-fashioned public school RP with an overlay of alcohol and a hint of camp-- is quite extraordinary.  This Falstaff is only slightly padded around the middle, but is superbly dissolute, crafty and unscrupulous under a long mane of hair and a big beard. 

I shall write a proper review of Dromgoole's production when I've seen part one, but last night's part two was a triumph.  Nobody is likely to see a better Falstaff than this one.  Allam is making his first appearance at the Globe, having confessed that he only recently realised what possibilities it offered to actors.   Only the Globe's first director Mark Rylance commanded the huge stage and unruly open air audience in this effortless fashion. (Rylance, by the way, hurried along to the Globe last night from the Comedy Theatre to catch the last act of the play.)  Though the political scenes sometimes lack the impact that the RSC delivered in their 2008 Histories cycle at the Roundhouse, the tavern and Gloucestershire scenes are devastatingly funny and don't rely solely on Allam.  There are lots of very strong performances backing him up.

I've seen Allam in a wide range of plays including Privates on Parade (for which he won an Olivier award), Democracy (in which he played Willy Brandt) and Boeing-Boeing (in which he co-starred with Rylance) but I don't think I've seen him before in Shakespeare.  This is a definitive performance of a kind that comes along once in a generation.  If Dromgoole wants a bit of extra publicity, he might send Christopher Hitchens a ticket.

Comments

[Elaine]

have just returned from seeing Part two today, having seen Part one in August. I agree with every word you say - Allam is superb but the whole cast is excellent. Was sorely tempted to stay on tonight to watch Merry Wives of Windsor, also hilariously wonderful, but decided I was too knackered. If you can catch this before the end of the season do so!

[westendwhingers.wordpress.com]

Damn you for your rave. Sounds like we need to see this.