London theatergoers are in for a treat. Ian McKellen has agreed to play Sir John Falstaff in productions of Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2, at various theaters in London from March until June next year. McKellen had previously turned down offers to play Falstaff, claiming not to fully understand the character. McKellen is now 84 years young, and so the spectacle of the actor taking on new Shakespearean roles seems like it should be getting rarer.