Simon Russell Beale

Exciting news - though what I really want is to see him in a major theatrical role again.  Or even a minor one.

Amongst plays not mentioned by fans above, the first time I saw him was in Edward Bond's Restoration in the RSC Pit, 1988 I would imagine - he was very funny, of course.  He was in a revival of The Philanthropist at the Donmar, directed by David Grindley in 2005.  The play was funny, but felt rather dated in its portrayal of women.  

I suppose the question is what else would we like to see him in.  As Falstaff certainly.  Cymbeline - could he make that role interesting (I love the play but it's not about him, usually)?  Julius Caesar?  Claudius.  Polonius.  Hamm in Endgame.  Either role in No Man's Land.  

I've only seen Sir Simon in Humble Boy and the Tempest but was stunning in both of these. I agree Falstaff is the one Shakespeare role I'd love to see him do on stage. His book will be interesting to read about how he defines his acting craft and roles. There might be a few nice stories about growing up in a forces and medical family as his father is a very eminent Lt General and surgeon who is also knighted and turned 90 on Monday. Most of Simon's family went into medicine so him pursuing a different career path and their reactions might be a good read. Sir Simon did get a first in English at Cambridge so was very well educated and had something as a safety net if his acting career hadn't taken off.