We have heard many tales of Richard III, not many of them are favourable, and Shakespeare wrote the play Richard III casting Richard in a bad light too. Theatre and film company Slade Wolfe Enterprises Ltd wish to look at Richard through a kinder lens, he had much to contend with, but was he the villain that he was made out to be by Shakespeare.
This play analyses the period between 1464-1485 charting the period of boyhood, through to his death…he was only thirty-two years old when he died in 1485, when fighting as King, he died at the Battle of Bosworth Field. This period is history was remarkably busy for coronations, as the monarchy changed five times, Edward IV, Henry VI, Edward IV (again), Edward V and then Richard III himself. The War of the Roses ensured that the many battles that took place brought about these changes.
Very much favouring Richard, the play has two actors (no cast list), with one playing Richard, and the second performer playing all of the other characters, of which there are many. The play has been split into ten scenes, and between each scene there are costume and basic scene changes. The costumes are of the period, which adds to the atmosphere of Plantagenet England.
The script negotiates this period well, there is a lot of detail to remember, but a handy handout helps the audience to follow the story without the performers getting bogged down in the detailed history. The play concentrates upon Richard’s relationship with his brothers, his wife Anne, and his frustrations when dealing with matters of state.
The play leans towards Richard being sensitive to the feelings of others, and not the scheming man that is portrayed in many other history plays about him. The performer who takes on the role of Richard plays him as compassionate, and of receiving bad advice from his advisers, but it may be a good idea to go along to this play with a knowledge of Shakespeare’s Richard III, to understand how this play is different.
Both performers do an excellent job of playing their roles, but I feel that the ten scenes, and the pauses between each scene hamper the fluidity of the play. This is an interesting play but would benefit from finding a different approach to defining each character, and to just change hats and jackets on stage, rather than to keep pausing the play.
The play runs until the 24th August (not 11th), and you can book by following this link – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/after-shakespeare-richard-iii.
Reviewer: Caroline Worswick
Reviewed: 6th August 2024
North West End UK Rating:
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