Thursday 19 April 2012

Anthony Quayle as Sir John Falstaff by Ronald Searle



Anthony Quayle portrayed Falstaff excellently in the classic BBC adaptations of 'King Henry IV parts 1 and 2' in 1979. But regretfully did not reprise the role four years later for their version of the 'The Merry Wives of Windsor'. In fact the only actor to span the three TV plays, and indeed 'King Henry V', was Gordon Gostelow as Bardolph.

My father was always an avid reader of Punch back when I was young and I would often flick though to look at the cartoons. I can remember many such sketches by Ronald Searle of the stars from either plays or films which accompanied their review.

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