Alex Wakelam’s new production of Richard III for the Carlton Theatre Group is innovative in the number of ways. As Wakelam explains at length in his directors note in the programme is made various changes to the text, including significantly reducing the number of speaking characters, introducing a scene from Henry VI part 3 and references to the Wars of the Roses. And it worked. The plot was easy to follow, and the dialogue flowed actually using Shakespeare’s own language.
It is also innovative that it set the entire play around a long dinner table with a cast seated on one side opposite the audience. The period was deliberately ambiguous. Possibly Victorian. The dinner guests were the main characters, kings, queens and courtiers dressed in evening wear, while in the background with the waiting staff dressed largely in white with comeback aprons who played the more minor characters. Again, this worked well. With no other scenery or scene settings. It focused the action on them on the actors and the story they were telling.
This is an amateur production, but one of a high order. Given that the cast presumably all have day jobs, from the CVs it seems any have limited acting experience and presumably limited, if any dramatic training. The acting, although patchy in places was generally very good. Josh Mallallieu in the title role. We unusual Richard. No sign or mention of “mine one deformity” and no hobbling around on crutches, as with the notable performances by Anthony Sher and Kevin Spacey. On the contrary he appeared youthful and innocent, with an insouciant smile. This was rather effective and made his admissions of his frequent bloody deeds needs all the more surprising and horrific. Dan Rhodes as Buckingham made a good foil for him as initially a collaborator and then his enemy.
The cast delivered their lines rapidly, assuredly and clearly. Most of them could have done with more tuition in the delivery of Shakespeare’s language, an exception was Daniel Drema who, in the rather small role of Lord Mayor delivered his lines with great understanding of underlying poetry.
This is a production worth seeing. Unfortunately, I was not able to review it until two days before its final performance and thus you are unlikely to see this review while it is still running. Maybe The Carlton Theatre Group will put it on again sometime or somebody else will pick up this version of the script. I hope so. There is much to admire here.
Reviewer: Paul Ackroyd
Reviewed: 15th May 2025
North West End UK Rating: