Page 68 - Media Coverage Book - 75th Aldeburgh Festival 2024

Sir Ian McKellen in Player Kings

Maverick genius Robert Icke, for too long lost to theatres in mainland Europe, returns
to direct Ian McKellen as Falstaff, in Icke’s own adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV
Part One and Part Two. Given that Icke was the man who streamlined Greek tragedy
trilogy The Oresteia into a 21st-century sell-out hit, expect something unusual and
special. In an acclaimed Shakespearean career, McKellen has never previously played
Falstaff. FM

14 – 23 March and 1 April – 22 June (playerkingstheplay.co.uk)

Film

Drive Away Dolls

In his second solo directorial effort without brother Joel, Ethan Coen has made a queer
road movie comedy. It stars Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan as two
opposites-attract friends – one wild and the other more demure – riding through the
South after one has a bad breakup with her girlfriend. So begins a girls’ trip with
plenty of raunch and a tiny bit of crime, in true rebellious road movie spirit. Knowing
Coen’s comedy chops, this is bound to be good fun. CN

15 March

Dance

Mark Bruce Company: Frankenstein