Podcasts about sir john falstaff

This week, we discuss two films starring, written and directed by Orson Welles. The first is Chimes at Midnight (1966), an historical comedy which follows the rise and fall of Sir John Falstaff, a boisterous yet tragic figure caught between loyalty and political upheaval in Shakespearean England. The second is Touch of Evil (1958), a noir thriller about corruption and moral decay, as a Mexican detective clashes with a ruthless American police captain while investigating a murder on the U.S.-Mexico border.   Timestamps What we've been watching (00:01:03) – SAS Rogue Heroes season one, I'm Still Here, Manhunter, Captain America: Brave New World, Predators Chimes at Midnight (00:31:10) Touch of Evil (00:54:00) Coin toss (01:17:28)   Links Instagram - @callitfriendopodcast @munnywales @andyjayritchie   Letterboxd – @andycifpod @fat-tits mcmahon   Justwatch.com – streaming and rental links - https://www.justwatch.com

The complete audiobook is available for purchase at Audible.com https://n9.cl/67o08 Henry IV, Part 1 & Part 2 By William Shakespeare Narrated by Laura E. Richcreek, Blaise Doran, Alan Weyman, Rory Barnett, Tim Dehn, Graham Scott, Geraint Pickard, Noni Lewis, Roberta Jackson, Denis Daly, Christopher Dukes, Sarah Jane Rose, Josh Innerst, Gregory Dwyer and Shane Emmett This full cast presentation includes Part 1 and Part 2 of Shakespeare's Henry IV.In 1598 appeared a Quarto with the following title:The History of Henrie the Fourth; With the Battell at Shrewsburie, betweene the King and Lord Henry Percy, surnamed Henrie Hotspur of the North. With the humorous conceits of Sir John Falstaffe. At London. Printed by P. S. for Andrew Wise, dwelling in Paules Churchyard, at the signe of the Angell. 1598.This was the First Part of Shakespeare's Henry IV, which must have been written in 1597. This play is the first in which Shakespeare really demonstrated his great and overwhelming individuality. Its dramatic structure is fairly loose, though is closer knit and technically stronger than that of the Second Part. However, as a poetical creation, it is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, at once heroic and burlesque, thrilling and side-splitting. Yet these contrasted elements are not brought into hard-and-fast rhetorical antithesis, but move and mingle with a natural freedom. The driving elements of the plot are the machinations of the guilt-ridden King Henry IV to establish the legitimacy of his accession and the inevitable revolt by the former supporters who helped him to gain the throne. One of the leaders of the opposing faction is the warlike Henry Percy, nicknamed Hotspur, who the king compares unfavourably with his own son, the self-indulgent and riotous Prince Hal. The prince spends much of his time cavorting with a group of boon companions, the most notable of which is the dissipated and unscrupulous knight, Sir John Falstaff, who acts as something of a surrogate parent. At the end of the First Part, the revolt is suppressed; in the conflict, Prince Hal reveals his true character as a doughty defender of the realm. In the Second Part, the king's health progressively declines and Hal begins to assert his royal prerogative. Eventually, the king dies, and Hal, now having shed all his adolescent impertinence, ascends to the throne. Falstaff, in expectation of elevation to high office and new-found prosperity, publicly accosts the new king and is rudely rebuffed, together with his disreputable retinue. Audio edited by Denis Daly The text used for this performance was kindly provided by playshakespeare.com. Welsh dialogue and tune for Lady Mortimer's song in Henry IV Part One provided by Noni Lewis.

Er ist der dicke, trunksüchtige Weiberheld. Die Rede ist von Sir John Falstaff, der in Guiseppe Verdis letzter Oper noch einmal einen großen Auftritt bekommen hat. Was ist das für ein Typ? Unsere Expertin Prof. Sandra Richter, die Direktorin des Deutschen Literaturarchivs in Marbach, stellt uns den Typus Falstaff genauer vor.

The year is 1403, and the Usurper King, Henry IV, faces a seemingly insurmountable challenge to his rule. He has been brought the news that his old friend, Harry “Hotspur” Percy, has betrayed him, and plans to lead his army against the King. Meanwhile, to the West, the revolt in Wales continues, at its head the formidable welsh king Owain Glyndŵr. And even in Scotland, where Henry IV thought he'd settled things down by silencing the terrifying Earl of Douglas, there is more trouble: a kitchen boy is claiming to be Richard II. And having made it halfway up to Scotland with his army to quell the newfound unrest, Henry IV must turn around, and march his men towards Wales, to face Hotspur at Schrewsbury... Join Tom and Dominic as they dive into the biggest revolt against Henry IV's rule, the making of his son and heir, Prince Hal, and the fate of the real Sir John Falstaff, abandoned by his dear friend Hal. _______ *The Rest Is History LIVE in the U.S.A.* If you live in the States, we've got some great news: Tom and Dominic will be performing throughout America in November, with shows in San Francisco, L.A., Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Boston and New York.  *The Rest Is History LIVE at the Royal Albert Hall* Tom and Dominic, accompanied by a live orchestra, take a deep dive into the lives and times of two of history's greatest composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Tickets on sale now at TheRestIsHistory.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode, which is the 16th in Danny Hurst's London Monopoly board history series, is the turn of the world-famous Fleet Street. Danny explains how it became the centre of the UK´s newspaper industry and what its connection with the “Chance” square is. It is home to what is probably London´s oldest statue, plays an important role in the capital´s sewage system and is where a popular type of cigarette was invented. In the episode, Danny tells you all about these, as well as sharing the street´s connection with Samuel Pepys, Charles Dickens, Geoffrey Chaucer´s attack on a friar and Sir John Falstaff. KEY TAKEAWAYS The street gets its name from the river that runs beneath it. In 1500, Wynkyn de Worde opened the first printing press on the street, kickstarting its long association with the press industry. One publisher remains on the street, and they print comics. The conduit that supplied the area once flowed with wine. We have Sir Christopher Wren (indirectly) to thank for the shape of British wedding cakes. BEST MOMENTS ‘Because I am really old, it was the days before DVD players. ´ ‘It's one of the few buildings in the city of London, which dates back to the before the Great Fire of 1666.' ‘Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is known for its nooks and crannies.'   EPISODE RESOURCES Shop for all official versions of Monopoly here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/785DC233-0A69-4DF8-98E9-4F50CC50A59E Thomas Paine – The Rights of Man - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rights-Man-Thomas-Paine-ebook/dp/B09RZMW36Q HOST BIO Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can. CONTACT AND SOCIALS https://instagram.com/dannyjhurstfacebook.com/danny.hurst.9638 https://twitter.com/dannyhurst  https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720 Podcast Description "History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake." James Joyce. That was me at school as well. Ironically, I ended up becoming a historian. The Unusual Histories podcast is all about the history you don't learn at school, nor indeed anywhere else. Discover things that you didn't know that you didn't know, fascinating historical luminaries and their vices and addictions, and the other numerous sides of every story. We start with the Monopoly Series, in which we explore how the game came to be, the real-life connection between the cheapest and most expensive properties, the history of each location, how proportionate the values were then and are today, what the hell a "community chest" is and whether free parking really does exist anywhere in London.  If you love history; or indeed if you hate history, this is the podcast for you…

Wein, verheiratete Frauen und Geld sind alles, was Sir John Falstaff im Sinn hat. Weil er besessen davon ist, betrügt er, was das Zeug hält. Dies jedoch mit mässigem Erfolg. Erfolgreich ist die Oper über Falstaff, das letzte Bühnenwerk von Giuseppe Verdi. Die Uraufführung war am 9. Februar 1893.

King Henry IV, Part 1 is the second of Shakespeare's eight Wars of the Roses history plays, with events following those of King Richard II. As the play opens, King Henry IV (formerly Henry Bolingbroke) and Henry Percy (Hotspur) argue over the disposition of prisoners from the Battle of Holmedon. The King's attitude toward Mortimer and the Percy family prompts them to plot rebellion. In the meantime, his son Prince Hal is living the low life in the company of Sir John Falstaff. As the time of battle nears, Prince Hal joins his father and is given a high command. The play's climax is the Battle of Shrewsbury, in which Prince Hal and Hotspur meet and fight, with Prince Hal and the forces of the King prevailing. The action continues in King Henry IV, Part 2. From the start this has been an extremely popular play both with the public and with critics. (From Wikipedia.)This is a dramatic reading.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

King Henry IV, Part 1 is the second of Shakespeare's eight Wars of the Roses history plays, with events following those of King Richard II. As the play opens, King Henry IV (formerly Henry Bolingbroke) and Henry Percy (Hotspur) argue over the disposition of prisoners from the Battle of Holmedon. The King's attitude toward Mortimer and the Percy family prompts them to plot rebellion. In the meantime, his son Prince Hal is living the low life in the company of Sir John Falstaff. As the time of battle nears, Prince Hal joins his father and is given a high command. The play's climax is the Battle of Shrewsbury, in which Prince Hal and Hotspur meet and fight, with Prince Hal and the forces of the King prevailing. The action continues in King Henry IV, Part 2. From the start this has been an extremely popular play both with the public and with critics. (From Wikipedia.)This is a dramatic reading.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today's poem, the lovable cad, Sir John Falstaff, explains the dismal state of his troops (and the extra silver in his pocket). The speech is from Henry IV, Part 1, Act 4, Scene 2. Get full access to The Daily Poem Podcast at dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe

After a shaky start, we continue our deep dive into Orson Welles this month by discussing Chimes at Midnight (1965). Known also as "Falstaff," this film amalgamates several Shakespeare plays, focusing on the character Sir John Falstaff, played by Orson Welles himself. How was this film received by the crew? Will Garfield come up again? Tune in through the end to find out. Join us next week for Touch of Evil from 1958, as we continue to explore Orson Welles in reverse chronological order. Leave your comments below or reach out to us at mracfilmclub@gmail.com

Ach ja, die Briten und ihr Humor – was haben wir dem nicht alles zu verdanken! Sir John Falstaff und Monty Python's Flying Circus. Prinz George mit seinen Fratzen und Boris Johnson mit seinen Faxen. Und auch ein veritables Staatsbegräbnis für Holzwürmer, von dem uns dankenswerterweise das Berliner Tageblatt vom 2. August 1923 in Kenntnis setzt. Dieses fand, wie im Vereinigten Königreich zu erwarten, natürlich nicht irgendwo statt, sondern in den heiligen Mauern von Westminster Hall, wo die Verstorbenen, genauer gesagt: die Gerichteten auch zuvor schon gelebt hatten. Aus dem royalen London berichtet für uns Paula Rosa Seelmann-Eggebert.

Falstaffian is an adjective that means having a love of food, drink and humor.  Sir John Falstaff is a Shakespearean character who appears in many of the Bard's plays. Known for being jolly and good-natured, his name provides the basis for our word of the day and may be used to describe anyone blessed with a similar temperament. Example: It's probably not a good idea to have too many falstaffian guys on your softball team. Sure, having fun-loving, wise-cracking players on the squad can make the game more fun. But after a while, you have to stop guzzling beer and cracking jokes long enough to actually get some practicing done. 

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 885, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: what's cooking, cowboy? 1: After a good feed, it's time to settle down with a cup of arbuckle, or this. coffee. 2: If you know what kind of wagon it was served in, you'll know this old west word for food, chow, grub. a chuckwagon. 3: From genus prosopis, this western wood that started a cooking craze gives off a tangy smoke. mesquite. 4: The bone-in type of this steak with a double anatomical name is also called a cowboy steak. ribeye. 5: Trail cooks couldn't carry eggs and milk, so they used starter to make this type of biscuit called a "hot rock". sourdough. Round 2. Category: humor 1: Only a groan man should attempt this "lowest form of wit". Pun. 2: The name of this comic imitation that lacks the moral aspect of satire also means a strip show. Burlesque. 3: It's defined as a tumble in which one lands on the buttocks. Pratfall. 4: Stout Shakespearean character "Not only witty myself; but the cause that wit is in other men". Sir John Falstaff. 5: Canine term for a long, drawn-out, complicated, overinvolved and even purposely irritating story. "Shaggy Dog" story. Round 3. Category: an "a" in history 1: Built in the early 1700s, it was originally the chapel of the Mission San Antonio de Valero. the Alamo. 2: Henry Wirz, commander of this Confederate prison, was executed in November 1865. Andersonville. 3: In 1741 Vitus Bering discovered Unimak and Unalaska, the largest islands in this archipelago. the Aleutian Islands. 4: This sailor, a former slave, was one of 5 men killed by British soldiers in the Boston Massacre. Crispus Attucks. 5: In 1867 entrepreneur Joseph McCoy selected this Kansas town as the railhead for Tex. cattle drives. Abilene. Round 4. Category: entertaining at home 1: Tulip-shaped glasses are good for champagne since the elongated shape preserves the life of these. bubbles. 2: Putting the liquor away, emptying ashtrays or openly stifling a yawn are 3 ways to encourage this. getting people to leave. 3: Of 3, 5 or 7, the maximum number of courses Emily Post says should be served at one meal. 5. 4: Nuts or shellfish in food should never be discussed for this health reason. many people are allergic to them. 5: Since red wines produce this, the bottle should stand upright for one day before opening. sediment. Round 5. Category: folklore 1: Blind men examining different parts of this big animal thought it was a pillar, fan, broom, spear.... an elephant. 2: Lady Godiva's ride was a protest against these. Taxes. 3: Dragging his spiked lumberjack pole behind him he cut out the Grand Canyon. Paul Bunyan. 4: A small spirit that torments pilots, or a small car once made by American Motors. Gremlin. 5: In the folklore of flowers, the peony stands for this; gosh it's perfect for a Disney dwarf. bashfulness. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia! Special thanks to https://blog.feedspot.com/trivia_podcasts/

APT Core Company member David Daniel, who portrays Sir John Falstaff, discusses the 2023 production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by  Terri McMahon, at American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Enhance your experience and appreciation by listening to this lively interview before or after your theater visit.  

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 746, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: Tape 1: For protection, these athletes tape both hands under their 6- to 12-ounce gloves. Boxers. 2: This type of tape is applied to bicycles and to children's clothing as a safety device. Reflective tape. 3: A popular calendar is titled "365 Days of" this often gray cloth tape. Duct tape. 4: As its name indicates, it's used especially to cover surfaces during painting. Masking tape. 5: Used to insulate electrical wires, it's named for the force that resists sliding objects. Friction tape. Round 2. Category: Let's Get It "On"! 1: The type of light associated with Vegas, its atomic number is 10. neon. 2: In astronomy, one billion years. eon. 3: A person of low social status, or a day laborer. peon. 4: Brand name for the chemical chiefly used as a refrigerant. Freon. 5: Feisty former White House Chief of Staff Panetta. Leon. Round 3. Category: Humor 1: Only a groan man should attempt this "lowest form of wit". Pun. 2: The name of this comic imitation that lacks the moral aspect of satire also means a strip show. Burlesque. 3: It's defined as a tumble in which one lands on the buttocks. Pratfall. 4: Stout Shakespearean character "Not only witty myself; but the cause that wit is in other men". Sir John Falstaff. 5: Canine term for a long, drawn-out, complicated, overinvolved and even purposely irritating story. "Shaggy Dog" story. Round 4. Category: Aviation 1: On its first day of operation, April 17, 1973, this company founded by Fred Smith flew 186 packages. Federal Express. 2: Not surprisingly, in 1939 this nation had the strongest air force in Europe. Germany. 3: Of 12, 24,or 36, # of hours it took a passenger to fly across U.S. in 1930. 36. 4: In May 1987 a plane built by this Wichita, Kansas company landed in Red Square. Cessna. 5: Used to train military pilots in WWI and later to carry the mail, the Curtiss JN-4 was known by this feminine nickname. the Jenny. Round 5. Category: Miss Universe 1: In 1952 Finland's Armi Kuuselan was crowned the first Miss Universe in this city, now home to the Queen Mary. Long Beach, California. 2: The pageant was first broadcast live in 1973 from the Parthenon in this city. Athens. 3: 1980's winner, Shawn Weatherly, was lifeguard Jill Watson on this TV show's first season. Baywatch. 4: Crowned in Cyprus in May 2000, Bombay U. grad Lara Dutta represented this country. India. 5: 4 women have won representing this U.S. commonwealth, home to the 2001 pageant. Puerto Rico. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia! Special thanks to https://blog.feedspot.com/trivia_podcasts/

King Henry's friends from his wilder days, Bardolph, Nym and Pistol, gather at the London Boarding House of Pistol's new bride, Nell, who had been engaged to Nym. Pistol and Nym argue and fight until they are interrupted by a young Boy who breaks the news that their great friend, Sir John Falstaff, is gravely ill and needs their help. In Southampton, Henry discovers that three of his closest friends and advisors, Lord Scroop of Masham, Richard Earl of Cambridge and Thomas Grey, Knight of Northumberland, have committed treason by conspiring against him with the King of France. He has them executed at once. Back at Nell's Boarding House, the Hostess (Nell), Pistol, Bardolph, Nym and the Boy mourn the death of Falstaff, then depart to join King Henry's army. King Charles the Beloved of France, meanwhile, sensing that Henry is not to be trifled with, expresses his unease over England's imminent invasion. As his court nonchalantly watches a jousting tournament, the King of France berates his son, the Dauphin, for underestimating the power of England, and instructs his princes to arm themselves in preparation for war. The Play On Podcast series, “HENRY V”, was translated into modern English verse by LLOYD SUH, and directed by KRISTA WILLIAMS.  The Cast is as follows: STEVEN BOYER as PISTOL ANDY LUCIEN as BARDOLPH (and others) COLLEEN WERTHMAN as EXETER (and others) JEFF BIEHL as CONSTABLE BRITTANY KATHRYN ALLEN as GOWER (and others) SOCORRO SANTIAGO as HOSTESS (and others) PACO TOLSON as DAUPHIN (and others) LLOYD SUH as CHORUS and WILLIAMS BOBBY MORENO as KING HENRY THE FIFTH BRAD BELLAMY as FLUELLEN NIKKI MASSOUD as KATHERINE, BOY (and others) JORDAN BARBOUR as KING OF FRANCE (and others) Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA, and ADA KARAMANYAN. Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH Episode scripts were adapted and produced by CATHERINE EATON.  Original Music Composition, Sound Design and Mix by SHANE RETTIG. Sound engineering by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH and ROBERT McNABB. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES). Script Supervisor: JORDAN MOORE. Managing Producer: ROBERT CAPPADONA. Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND. The Senior Manager of Business Operations and Partnerships at Next Chapter Podcasts is SALLYCADE HOLMES. The Play On Podcast Series “HENRY V” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit N C PODCASTS DOT COM for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit PLAY ON SHAKESPEARE DOT ORG for more about Play On Shakespeare. Hear more about the Play On Shakespeare Podcast series by listening to bonus content at N C PODCASTS DOT COM, where you'll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “St. Crispian's Day” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Merry Wives of Windsor has an unusual status among Shakespeare's comedies: long dismissed by critics, long beloved by audiences. The only one of Shakespeare's plays to be set in a recognizably contemporary England, the play tells the story of two witty, confident, women who set a revenge plot in motion when they are propositioned by Sir John Falstaff - the comic star of Shakespeare's history play Henry IV, now transported to a middle-class milieu in the small town of Windsor near London. In this course, you'll learn the story of The Merry Wives of Windsor, examine the historical and theoretical contexts of the play that are exciting new critical interest today, and meet two delightfully inspiring heroines as they set out to prove that “wives may be merry and yet honest too.”  In Part 1, you'll be guided through a detailed account of the story with commentary by Dr. Will Tosh, Head of Research at Shakespeare's Globe, London. You'll learn about the intricate construction of the play's multiple revenge plots and meet the large, diverse cast of Windsor's inhabitants. This summary is told using the language of the play itself, placing key quotations in context to help you understand where these lines come from and what they mean. 

Henry IV Part 1 has long been one of Shakespeare's most beloved history plays. In the 1590s, Shakespeare wrote a series of eight plays based on English chronicle history. This play is named for Henry IV, who deposed Richard II to become king in 1399. But the most captivating characters for many readers prove to be Sir John Falstaff and Henry IV's son Hal – the prince who would go on to become the legendary Henry V. In this course, you'll learn the story of Henry IV Part 1, hear the play's key speeches performed and analyzed by world-class Shakespearean actors and literary scholars, and watch how Hal navigates his historical destiny and forges his personal identity in a process he calls “redeeming time.”   In Part 1, you'll be guided through a detailed account of the story with commentary by Ewan Fernie, Chair, Professor and Fellow of the Shakespeare Institute and Director of the ‘Everything to Everybody' Project. You'll learn the historical context behind the play and encounter the extraordinary places and people - from the royal court to the taverns of London, from the honor-driven soldier Hotspur to the unforgettable rogue Falstaff - who shape Hal's future and offer a panoramic view of English society, within and beyond the official annals of history. This summary is told using the language of the play itself, placing key quotations in context to help you understand where these lines come from and what they mean. 

King Henry IV by William Shakespeare audiobook. As the play opens, King Henry IV (formerly Henry Bolingbroke) and Henry Percy (Hotspur) argue over the disposition of prisoners from the Battle of Holmedon. The King's attitude toward Mortimer and the Percy family prompts them to plot rebellion. In the meantime, his son Prince Hal is living the low life in the company of Sir John Falstaff. As the time of battle nears, Prince Hal joins his father and is given a high command. The play's climax is the Battle of Shrewsbury, in which Prince Hal and Hotspur meet and fight, with Prince Hal and the forces of the King prevailing.

Tom Service talks to Sir Bryn Terfel about an extraordinary life performing at opera houses and concert halls all over the world. He talks about how his career took flight after winning the Lieder Prize at Cardiff Singer of the World in 1989, as well as his partnerships with conductors like Georg Solti and Claudio Abbado and the composer Stephen Sondheim. Bryn Terfel brings drama to the stage through great characters such as Wotan, Scarpia, Sir John Falstaff and Leporello, with music by Wagner, Puccini, Verdi and Mozart. He tells Tom about the importance of being a great storyteller and gives advice on how to deal with the emotional intensity of the drama. Sir Bryn Terfel talks about how it all began, singing folksongs in Wales, and about how we can look forward to hearing him perform in the future as he prepares for The Flying Dutchman by Wagner at Grange Park Opera this summer and a UK tour in the autumn.

Verdi wrote Falstaff, which was the last of his 28 operas, as he was approaching the age of 80. It was his second comedy, and his third work based on a Shakespeare play, following Macbeth and Otello. The plot revolves around the thwarted, sometimes farcical, efforts of the fat knight, Sir John Falstaff, to seduce two married women to gain access to their husband's wealth.Purchase the music (without talk) at:http://www.classicalsavings.com/store/p1371/Verdi%3A_Falstaff.htmlYour purchase helps to support our show! Classical Music Discoveries is sponsored by La Musica International Chamber Music Festival and Uber. @khedgecock#ClassicalMusicDiscoveries #KeepClassicalMusicAlive#LaMusicaFestival #CMDGrandOperaCompanyofVenice #CMDParisPhilharmonicinOrléans#CMDGermanOperaCompanyofBerlin#CMDGrandOperaCompanyofBarcelonaSpain#ClassicalMusicLivesOn#Uber Please consider supporting our show, thank you!http://www.classicalsavings.com/donate.html staff@classicalmusicdiscoveries.com

Shakespeare's ability to write convincing human emotions is one of the reasons why he remains such a popular playwright to this day. His works explore what it truly means to be human -- warts and all. And the warts are what we're talking about in today's episode, in which we take a look at the roots of jealousy in Shakespeare's plays.  From the murderous rage of Othello to the living room comedy of The Merry Wives of Windsor, jealousy gets its hooks into Shakespeare's characters in ways that are both surprising and surprisingly mundane. Whether it's the ridiculous farce of Sir John Falstaff's attempts at cuckolding Masters Ford and Page, the somewhat Oedipal longing underpinning Hamlet's madness, or the shocking descent faced by Othello or The Winter's Tale's Leontes, Shakespeare has a way of making jealousy appear out of nowhere and yet feel like a natural part of the worlds he creates; one might even go so far as to say that the 'green-eyed monster' is its own unique character whenever it arrives. So join us as we look at the function of jealousy in Shakespeare's plays. Ancient Bickerings: Who is Shakespeare's most jealous character? Notes: Cuckoldry in Shakespeare (Prezi) Love, Revenge, Jealousy and Legacy: The Psychology of Shakespeare https://geoffrey-gibson.com/2019/12/05/here-and-there-envy-and-jealousy-in-shakespeare/ Theorising Early Modern Jealousy A Biocultural Perspective on Shakespeare's Othello https://www.nosweatshakespeare.com/quotes/famous/green-eyed-monster/

It was his second play of his most celebrated historical series, but it was less about the king mentioned in the title and more about his son who would be king. And it introduced one of the most beloved theatrical comic character of all time . . . Sir John Falstaff, (though that wasn't his original name!) Hear the story behind Henry IV Part 1 on Shannon's Shakespeare Shunday Every Sunday on https://www.facebook.com/groups/707314020132424/?__cft__[0]=AZUexyuIaz06vV_h_cAU2Mw4yBB0QRYnuOPeOHtcEVR_HvOVtJahy9m3OoxXbI7adTKZUELVMA6rAmde2OxvYzV5dPW-vGzHsyaXqKCAlKxMEOHfw_efR71AvDJUBtB6j_w&__tn__=-UK-R (KSEF-DB a.k.a. 785 LIVE) on the eights

CAST in order of appearance: Liam Mitchell as 1st Groom & John of Lancaster, Amber Devlin as 2nd Groom & Justice Shallow, Ellyn Heald as 3rd Groom, Marty Madden as Sir John Falstaff, Mike Marcou as Pistol, Noah Segard as King Henry V, Rhoda Bodzin as Lord Chief Justice. Facilitated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Amber Devlin as Justice Shallow, Marty Madden as Sir John Falstaff, Rhoda Bodzin as Justice Silence, Danielle Reddick as Davy, Mike Marcou as Bardolph & Pistol. Facilitated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Amber Devlin as Justice Shallow, Marty Madden as Sir John Falstaff, Danielle Reddick as Davy, Mike Marcou as Bardolph. Facilitated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Marty Madden as Sir John Falstaff, Ellyn Heald as Coleville & Westmoreland, Liam Mitchell as John of Lancaster, Mike Marcou as Bardolph. Facilitated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Amber Devlin as Justice Shallow, Rhoda Bodzin as Silence & Moldy, Mike Marcou as Bardolph, Marty Madden as Sir John Falstaff, Danielle Reddick as Shadow & Wart, Ellyn Heald as Feeble, Noah Segard as Bullcalf. Facilitated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Eric Devlin as Francis, Danielle Reddick as 2nd Drawer, Amber Devlin as Will the 3rd Drawer & Peto, Samantha Blinn as Mistress Quickly, Ellyn Heald as Doll Tearsheet & Poins, Marty Madden as Sir John Falstaff, Mike Marcou as Pistol & Bardolph, Liam Mitchell as Pageboy, Noah Segard as Prince Hal. Facilitated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Samantha Blinn as Mistress Quickly, Ellyn Heald as Fang, Amber Devlin as Snare, Marty Madden as Sir John Falstaff, Liam Mitchell as Pageboy, Rhoda Bodzin as Lord Chief Justice, Noah Segard as Thomas Gower. Facilitated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Marty Madden as Sir John Falstaff, Liam Mitchell as Pageboy, Rhoda Bodzin as Lord Chief Justice, Noah Segard as Servant. Facilitated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Lynn Goodwin as King Henry IV, Sam Gilroy as Prince Hal, Kelly Strandemo as Worcester, Deborah Davis as Sir John Falstaff. Facilitated, edited with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Kelly Strandemo as Worcester, Andrew Codispoti as Vernon, Genevieve Simon as Hotspur, Mitchel Kawash as Douglas, Nicholas Koy Santillo as Messenger, Brittany Chandler as Sir Walter Blunt, Deborah Davis as Sir John Falstaff, Sam Gilroy as Prince Hal. Facilitated, edited with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Lynn Goodwin as King Henry IV, Mitchel Kawash as Lancaster & Douglas, Sam Gilroy as Prince Hal, Andrew Codispoti as Westmoreland, Genevieve Simon as Hotspur, Deborah Davis as Sir John Falstaff. Facilitated, edited with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Deborah Davis as Sir John Falstaff, Andrew Codispoti as Bardolph & Westmoreland, Sam Gilroy as Prince Hal. Facilitated, edited with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Deborah Davis as Sir John Falstaff, Andrew Codispoti as Bardolph, Brittany Chandler as Hostess, Sam Gilroy as Prince Hal. Facilitated, edited with music composed & performed by Ariana Karp. Traditional fiddle tunes performed by Charlie Hankin.

CAST in order of appearance: Sam Gilroy as Prince Hal, Alexandra Tatarsky as Poins & 1st Carrier, Nicholas Koy Santillo as Francis, Vintner, & Gadshill, Deborah Davis as Sir John Falstaff, Kelly Strandemo as Peto, Brittany Chandler as Mistress Quickly (the Hostess), Andrew Codispoti as Bardolph, Mitchel Kawash as Sheriff. Facilitated, edited with music composed & performed by Ariana Karp. Traditional fiddle tunes performed by Charlie Hankin.

CAST in order of appearance: Alexandra Tatarsky as Poins, Sam Gilroy as Prince Hal, Deborah Davis as Sir John Falstaff, Nicholas Koy Santillo as Gadshill, Andrew Codispoti as Bardolph & 2nd Traveller, Kelly Strandemo as Peto, Mitchel Kawash as 1st Traveller. Facilitated, edited with music composed & performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Deborah Davis as Sir John Falstaff, Sam Gilroy as Prince Hal, Alexandra Tatarsky as Poins. Facilitated, edited with music composed & performed by Ariana Karp.

In this delightfully farcical and absurdly complicated comedy, Sir John Falstaff takes a break from partying with the Prince of Wales to woo two not-so-desperate housewives at the same time in the London suburb of Windsor while a Frenchman, a judge, and the boy-next-door seek to marry one of those housewives’ daughters. In their discussion of a play that some commentators allege that Shakespeare wrote at the request of Queen Elizabeth I, Will and James discuss whether it counts as a spin-off and whether or not spin-offs can succeed on their own merits. //. Credits //. Intro Music: Jon Sayles, "The Witches' Dance" (composed by anonymous); Outro Music: Jon Sayles, “Saltarello” (composed by anonymous); Illustrative Excerpts: “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” dir. Fiona Laird, Royal Shakespeare Company (2018); “The Simpsons Spinoff Showcase,” The Simpsons, dir. Neil Affleck (1997)

Can honor set a leg? Are gluttony and drunkenness ever virtues? And just how many capons and slain enemies will it take to settle the immortal question of who should be King of England? In this week’s episode, Will and James debate the relative merits and demerits of Sir John Falstaff and Sir Henry Hotspur, how wars evolve differently depending whether they are caused by fear, honor, and interest, and parallels between The Iliad, The Bridge on the River Kwai, and Shakespeare’s canon. // CREDITS // Intro Music: Jon Sayles, "The Witches' Dance" (composed by anonymous); Outro Music: Jon Sayles, “Saltarello” (composed by anonymous); Illustrative Excerpts: “The Hollow Crown: Henry IV, Part 1,” dir. Richard Eyre (2012); “Henry IV, Part 1,” dir. Dominic Dromgoole (2010); John Gielgud, "The Ages of Man" (1966); The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, "The First Part of King Henry IV," dir Richard Graham, Philip Hanson, and Angus Bowmer (1960)

Things went very well with our first reading, so welcome to the "Much Ado About Something" series, as we all do our part to fight this pandemic and stay entertained at the same time. Next up is our online reading of William Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor with an all-star cast of past guests from this podcast. This is a wonderfully underrated comedy, with lots of great characters! The broadcast will be May 14th at 3 pm Pacific / 6 pm Eastern, and yes, you can WATCH all of this too. Head over here to get all the details and to set a reminder for when we go live! Now once again, we have an incredible cast, all with very deep theatre backgrounds, including 3x Tony Nominee and 3x Ovation winner Harry Groener as Master Ford, Dawn Didawick (Harry's real-life wife) as Mistress Ford, Peter Van Norden as Sir John Falstaff, Tony Amendola as Master Page, and Anne Gee Byrd as Mistress Page, with Geoffrey Wade, Alan Mandell, and Robert Pine returning, and we have new additions to the show with Amelia White and Marcelo Tubert, plus a number of other great actors! More info: https://workingactorsjourney.com/merrywives/   Get your copy of "10 Ways to Stop Worrying and Start Working!" See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Emmy Award and multiple NAACP Image Award-winning film, television and stage veteran Joe Morton is perhaps best known for his role as Rowan Pope in the television series “Scandal.” Morton’s television credits include a recurring role as lawyer Daniel Golden on “The Good Wife,” on the Network; five seasons as scientist Henry Deacon in the Emmy-nominated series “Eureka”; “The Cosby Show” spinoff “A Different World”; the Kyra Sedgwick-produced “Proof”; and “Grace & Frankie.” In 2016 he portrayed the role of Roy Wilkins alongside Bryan Cranston in the Emmy-nominated biopic “All the Way,” adapted from the Tony Award-winning Robert Schenkkan play.   In 2016 Morton appeared in the feature film “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” as Silas Stone, and he reprised the role in November 2017 in “Justice League.” His additional feature film credits include playing the title character in John Sayles’ “The Brother from Another Planet” and roles in “Terminator 2: Judgement Day,” “American Gangster,” “What Lies Beneath,” “Blues Brothers 2000” and “The Astronaut’s Wife.”   Recently, Morton starred as the titular role alongside Tom Hanks in Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles’ production of “Henry IV.” Staged by Tony Award-winning director Daniel Sullivan, the critically raved show featured Morton as Henry IV and Hanks as Sir John Falstaff. In spring 2016, Morton portrayed the groundbreaking comedian Dick Gregory in the one-man show “Turn Me Loose,” executive produced by Grammy Award winner John Legend. Morton was honored with the NAACP Theatre Lifetime Achievement Award and was awarded the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play. Also, he was nominated for the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance. In October 2017, he brought “Turn Me Loose” to Los Angeles at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.   Born in Harlem, Morton was raised in a military family and spent parts of his childhood in West Germany and Okinawa, Japan, before finishing school in New York. After attending Hofstra University, Morton debuted on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical “Hair,” followed by his starring role in “Raisin,” the Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” which earned him a Tony nomination and Theatre World Award for his portrayal as the embittered Walter Lee Younger. In addition, he appeared in David Hare’s “Stuff Happens” at the National Theatre in London as Colin Powell and played Serge in “Art” on Broadway (and in London’s West End) with Judd Hirsch and George Wendt.   Morton is a huge proponent of diversity in Hollywood and uses his platform to express the need for more contemporary non-white roles in television and film. Morton devotes his rare free time to writing, playing his guitar and recording music. Music has been a huge part of his life, and his talent has led him to write and score a multitude of songs for various film and TV projects.

It's Thursday, and Midday theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck joins Tom in the studio for another of her weekly reviews of the Maryland stage. Today, her spotlight is on Baltimore Shakespeare Factory's new production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, the Bard's circa 1602 comedic romp about smart women, hapless men and communal joy.Reputedly a play that Queen Elizabeth I ordered William Shakespeare to write so she could see her favorite dramatic character, Sir John Falstaff, fall in love, The Merry Wives of Windsor has Falstaff (played for the BSF by David Forrer) arriving in Windsor flat broke and plotting to woo two wealthy married women, Mistress Alice Ford (Emily Classen) and Mistress Margaret Page (Bethany Mayo). The two wives learn of Falstaff's devious plans and scheme, hilariously, to thwart them.The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by BSF founder Tom Delise, continues through Sunday, August 18 at Baltimore Shakespeare Factory's Great Hall Theater in St. Mary's Community Center, at 3900 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21211, with an additional performance outdoors at Boordy Vineyards on August 23. Tickets and info at BaltimoreShakespeareFactory.org.

It's the comedy of the prince of Denmark! Hamlet's Big Adventure (a prequel) will be the eleventh stage show performed by the Reduced Shakespeare Company and the tenth RSC script by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, who discuss the origins of the script; where it's being workshopped as part of Napa Valley College's Emergence Festival; how the transitive property applies to ranking plays; the incredible insight given to us by our dramaturg Kate Pitt; echoes of Hamlet as well as Henry IV Part 1; the feeling of being both Queen Elizabeth demanding a new play about Sir John Falstaff and the Shakespeare who gets to write it; the hesitation of getting rid of our usual framing device; the challenge of creating a comedy that's funny to people who don't know the original; the balancing act of finding the right ratio of highbrow to lowbrow; and the fun of answering questions inspired by Shakespeare's original tragedy. Poster art by the incomparable Lar DeSouza. (Length 20:45) The post Hamlet's Big Adventure! appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

Tonight, is the opening night of Henry IV Part I at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. The play is the first of Shakespeare’s seven “Henry’s,” as they’re known by aficionados of the Bard, and it’s considered one of Shakespeare’s most ambitious history plays. Written between 1596 and 1599, Henry IV Part I and Henry IV Part II tell a story of friends, fathers and sons, war, and the weight of honor. Tom is joined in Studio A by Seamus Miller who plays Prince Hal; and Gregory Burgess, who plays Prince Hal’s mentor, the incorrigible Sir John Falstaff. The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company will be presenting Henry IV Parts I and II in repertory on selected Saturdays in March. This segment was streamed live on the WYPR Facebook Page.

Hanks goes full Wario as Sir John Falstaff in a live production of Shakespeare's Henry IV: Parts 1 AND 2! Will Elvis and Rish stay awake for the entire play? Follow us - @tomhankspod Elvis - @elviskaboom Rish - @rishfilm (IG) Shakespeare Center Of Los Angeles: http://www.shakespearecenter.org/ Theme Song by Greg Krajewski - @gregorjk Email- tomhankspod@gmail.com Please leave us a rating & review on iTunes! It really helps, and we'd be most Hankful! - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tomhanksgiving/id998824668?mt=2 Brought to you by Splot Studios twitter.com/splotstudios youtube.com/splotstudios facebook.com/splotstudios instagram.com/splotstudios splotstudios.com "These four came all a-front, and mainly thrust at me. I made me no more ado but took all their seven..." Give me a cup of sack, boy!

This week we’ll power our ifs, go gulling, and offer our tutoring services to Tom Hanks in advance of his upcoming Los Angeles theater debut as he takes on Sir John Falstaff in Henry IV. www.noholdsbard.com noholdsbardpodcast@gmail.com patreon.com/NoHoldsBard @NoHoldsBardCast facebook.com/NoHoldsBardCast

Actor, artist, entrepreneur, philanthropist and Edge co-founder John Ellis has just been named an Island Treasure. In this podcast interview, John talks with his daughter Liz about his lifelong interest in art and theater. On the Island John is perhaps best known as co-founder (with the late Frank Buxton) of the Edge Improv troupe, which has been performing monthly at BPA for over 22 years. But he has a number of other talents as well:    • As an actor, he has delighted audiences in numerous roles at BPA, such as Nick Bottom in Midsummer Night's Dream and, most recently, as Sir John Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor.    • He co-wrote Harry Tracy, a Bainbridge Bandit with fellow Edge troupe member Andrew Shields.    • As an artist, he had a brief career as a cartoonist in high school and, more recently, an exhibit of his elephant drawings helped raise money for the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Currently his ravens and monoprints, made under the mentorship of Wendy Orville at BARN, are popular items at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts.    • As a devoted community member, John has served on the boards of both the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and Bainbridge Performing Arts as well as hosting a variety of events for other organizations on the island. But John is also a father, and this podcast gives us a charming glimpse into his relationship with his daughter Liz, who currently serves as Education Director of Bainbridge Performing Arts. Listen here as they reminisce together about John's lifelong contributions to the arts. Credits: BCB guest host: Liz Ellis; audio tech: Chris Walker; audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

Actor, artist, entrepreneur, philanthropist and Edge co-founder John Ellis has just been named an Island Treasure. In this podcast interview, John talks with his daughter Liz about his lifelong interest in art and theater. On the Island John is perhaps best known as co-founder (with the late Frank Buxton) of the Edge Improv troupe, which has been performing monthly at BPA for over 22 years. But he has a number of other talents as well:    • As an actor, he has delighted audiences in numerous roles at BPA, such as Nick Bottom in Midsummer Night's Dream and, most recently, as Sir John Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor.    • He co-wrote Harry Tracy, a Bainbridge Bandit with fellow Edge troupe member Andrew Shields.    • As an artist, he had a brief career as a cartoonist in high school and, more recently, an exhibit of his elephant drawings helped raise money for the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Currently his ravens and monoprints, made under the mentorship of Wendy Orville at BARN, are popular items at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts.    • As a devoted community member, John has served on the boards of both the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and Bainbridge Performing Arts as well as hosting a variety of events for other organizations on the island. But John is also a father, and this podcast gives us a charming glimpse into his relationship with his daughter Liz, who currently serves as Education Director of Bainbridge Performing Arts. Listen here as they reminisce together about John's lifelong contributions to the arts. Credits: BCB guest host: Liz Ellis; audio tech: Chris Walker; audio editor and social media publisher, Diane Walker.

A special holiday message from Sir John Falstaff. (from The Second Part of Henry IV – Act IV scene 3)

The Criterion Collection, the last vestige of truly collectible DVD and Blu-Ray movies in existence. These are well produced, fancy pants editions of important and interesting films for the discerning film lover. We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with... Chimes at Midnight Spine Number: 830 Director:Orson Welles Genre: Drama   Orson Welles is one of the few people who completely earns the title "Genuis." From his early stage work to his groundbreaking radio plays with the Mercury Players to his masterful film work he basically defined every medium he worked in.  Of course people focus on "Citizen Kane," which is resonable.  I mean.. when your first movie is constantly duking it out for the title of Greatest Movie Ever Made, it tends to get some attention. But, some of his best and most impressive work was in the world of Shakespeare. His modern fascist retelling of Julius Caesar, his reimagining of MacBeth with an all African American cast are still considered some of the greatest producitons of Shakespear's work ever produced, and that was before he even consiered making movies. So, what does a ballsy genuis top himself in the world of Shakespeare? How about adapting three plays into a completely original work that focuses on one of the most well known secondary characters in all of Shakespeare's canon? Yeah... he did that. Chimes at Midnight combines elements from The Merry Wives of Windsor, and King Henry IV parts 1 & 2 and follows the character of Sir John Falstaff. Friend and tutor to young King Henry V, and one of the only characters to be almost completely defined by his cowardace.  Chimes at Midnight is a ballsy movie. How many people looked at one of the most respected bodies of work every produced in any language and said, "It's missing something." But, that's just how Orson rolled. So, join us as we take a look at this classic work from a one of cinema's most original voices. Next time... Spine number 834: Blood Simple Also, check this out. The Life Masters is now it's own show with its own site and own dedicated feed. That's right, we have two completely different shows!  Right now check it out at www.thelifemasters.podbean.com. You can also drink in our brilliance on Youtube for both The Film Thugs and The Life Masters. http://fantasymovieleague.com/ Looks like Summer Movie League has officially become Fantasy Movie League. It looks quite fun. Here's how it works. You have an 8 screen theater. Every week you pick movies and have a budget/salary cap you have to stay under. Then you compete against other theaters in your league. It's fantasy football for movie people. Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse. And remember, you can be a part of the show any time you wild like. How's that? All you have to do is call or e-mail us. If you live in the US, or any place that makes calling the US easy, just dial 512-666-RANT and leave us a voicemail. We will read the Google Voice transcript and play your message. It's both funny AND informative. If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer. E-mail us at thefilmthugs@gmail.com and we will read/play whatever you send us, or you can e-mail thugquestions@gmail.com to be part of  an upcoming "Ask the Film Thugs" show, where we answer questions on any subject without having heard them first. Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine. Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists. Thanks for listening, and until next week...

Actors Henry Woronicz and Steve Wojtas, playing respectively Sir John Falstaff and Hotspur in Henry IV Part One and Escalus and Angelo in Measure for Measure.

There’s no denying it. Music is a powerful force. Music can express the deepest of human emotions. And there are, obviously, many different styles and forms of music. One could easily make the argument that no two forms of musical expression better convey the depth of human feeling than do OPERA and the mighty SPRITUALS that grew out of slavery and the African-American experience. Right now, two different opportunities await you in the Bay Area to experience the power of both musical forms. Let’s start with opera. In Giuseppe Verdi’s "Falstaff," the last of 30 operas the Italian composer wrote in the late 1800s, the emotional and financial stakes are high for everyone, but the comedy is as broad as the girth of its title character. Now running in an intimate English-language adaptation at Cinnabar Theater in Petaluma, the story of Falstaff is borrowed from William Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. The debt-ridden Sir John Falstaff - played with delightful expressiveness by Jo Vincent Parks - is a plus-sized inebriate with an exaggerated appreciation for his own attractiveness and charm. When he runs out of money with which to pay his bills, including the tab for all the beer and food he ingests, Falstaff attempts to solve his money problems by seducing two different local married women, Mrs. Ford - played by Eileen Morris, who practically glows with charm and mischief - and Mrs. Page - Kim Anderman, quite good as the less flashy of the two wives. Both merry wives are beautiful and, most importantly, rich. When they discover Falstaff is courting both of them, they launch a scheme to expose and embarrass Falstaff. Their plan is complicated by certain subplots - one involving Mrs. Ford’s jealous husband (William Neely, who’s hilarious), the other involving the sweet, secret love affair between the Ford’s daughter Nannetta and a poor local boy. As directed by Elly Lichenstein, who brings plenty of wicked silliness and disarming funny business to the story - aided by strong musical direction from Mary Chun - "Falstaff" is classic fluff, but it’s fluff with tremendous heart and some spectacular operatic melodies. Melody and heart are traits shared by the brilliant, beautifully written, flawlessly acted "Choir Boy," by Tarell Alvin McCraney. Directed with stunning intensity by Kent Gash at Marin Theatre Company, the play is set at the fictional Charles Drew Prep School for Boys, a prestigious all-black boarding school. As a new year begins, tensions boil when the all-but-openly gay student Pharus - a stunningly good Jetani Alladin - is made the leader of the school’s all-important a cappella choir. The choir presents classic black spirituals in contemporary arrangements, and the uplift they give Pharus, a true believer in the power of music, helps guide him through what turns out to be a very rocky year. The music, by the way, is awesome, with the cast all able of blending into some jaw-dropping harmonies. A coming-of-age story with tremendous insight and lovingly observed characters, this lyrical thought-poem of a play is not just about bullying and prejudice and homophobia. Yes. It touches on those things, but at its heart "Choir Boy" is about friendship and self-acceptance. Wonderfully crafted and beautifully staged, "Choir Boy" is about what happens when a person is finally accepted for who they are. It’s about the transcendent power of a simple song, and the power of a single voice when they are finally allowed to sing from the heart. "Choir Boy" runs Tuesday–Sunday through June 28 at Marin Theatre Company. www.marintheatre.org. "Falstaff" runs through June 28 at Cinnabar Theater, www.cinnabartheater.org I’m David Templeton, Second Row Center, for KRCB.

Sir John Falstaff is a river who has burst his banks. He has taken on a life beyond Shakespeare’s plays and become a myth in his own right. Anybody who has a thirst for life is described as Falstaffian, he has had operas written for him, actors at the mature height of their comic powers […]

1 Henry IV 1.2 – A round of sack for everyone as we meet our wayward prince, Hal and his dissolute and debauched friend, Sir John Falstaff. Just Cant Drink Any More, by Dust Rhinos, courtesy of music.mevio.com Looking for the remains of Richard III – BBC News and  The Telegraph

Like generations of theatre-goers, this lecture concentrates on the (large) figure of Sir John Falstaff and investigates his role in Henry IV part 1. Lecture 11 in the Approaching Shakespeare series.