London
Richard III
By William Shakespeare

Almeida Theatre to 06 08
Islington,
London N1 1TA

Runs: 3hr 10mins no interval

TICKETS 020 7359 4404 (24 hours)
In person: 10am-7.30pm (Mon-Sat)
On-line: www.almeida.co.uk

Review by Carole Woddis of performance seen June 17, 2016

It didn’t used to be a problem, now the problems resonate with power
Like The Merchant of Venice and anti-semitism, staging Shakespeare’s Tudor propagandist Richard III, has become more problematic with our changing 21st century sensibilities towards disability.

Some things do date. Chillingly, some things don’t. History goes in cycles.
There are lines in Rupert Goold’s much anticipated revival with Ralph Fiennes as the variously styled hunchback `toad’, `hedgehog’, `homicide’ that sadly chime all too loudly with our present toxically divided times. Will a Henry Richmond appear to bring peace and unity to our `Wars of the Roses’ civil divisions?

Only time will tell. For the moment, Goold’s revival feels extraordinarily resonant. And modern. With characteristic immediacy, Goold brings Richard’s death in the 15th century right up to date with a pre-scene simulating the recent archaeological Leicester dig where remains, thought to be Richard’s, were found in 2012.

From thereon in, the only other deference to historical period emerges in the pomp of Richard’s crowning and the pocket sized, thrillingly imaginative Bosworth battle with silver-plated armour, glinting in the light, added to the cast’s modern dress.

As for Fiennes, after the fireworks of his Man and Superman and Master Builder performances, this Richard at least for the first half is quieter – a smooth, roll-top sweater wearing political operator, whose hidden venom only begins to reveal itself first in the violent seduction of Lady Anne, later the shocking rape of Edward IV’s widow, Elizabeth.

It’s a calculated performance, neither showy nor barn-storming but Fiennes exudes virile presence despite his pronounced physical `handicaps’ and epitomising the lengths to which the power-hungry will go to achieve their aims.

Around him, Finbar Lynch’s shrewd-eyed Buckingham, James Garnon’s self-regarding Hastings stand out in a strong cast in which Vanessa Redgrave’s bedraggled Queen Margaret struggles for lines but still conveys a unique sense of mangled magnificence when the three queens join together to curse Richard around a gaping earth-filled grave.

Dark and brooding, where conscience only fleetingly makes an appearance in Fiennes’ psychopathic villain, Goold’s restrained production (for him) makes this Richard III very much a play for today, where family, friends and all are considered cannon fodder when it comes to one man’s ambition to be top dog.

This production will be broadcast live from the Almeida on July 21st

Cast:
Richard, Duke of Gloucester: Ralph Fiennes
George, Duke of Clarence: Scott Handy
Sir Robert Brackenbury: Tom Canton
William, Lord Hastings: James Garnon
Lady Anne: Joanna Vanderham
Bishop of Ely: Simon Coates
Catesby: Daniel Cerqueira
Queen Elizabeth: Aislín McGuckin
Earl Rivers: Joseph Arkley
Marquess of Dorset: Joshua Riley
Lord Stanley: Joseph Mydell
Duke of Buckingham: Finbar Lynch
Queen Margaret: Vanessa Redgrave
Ratcliffe: Mark Hadfield
King Edward IV: David Annen
Duchess of York: Susan Engel
Richard, Duke of York: Benedict Barker, Oliver Whitehouse
Prince Edward: Lukas Rolf, Baxter Westby
Lord Mayor of London: Mark Hadfield
James Tyrell: David Annen
Earl of Richmond: Tom Canon
Sir James Blunt: David Annen

Supernumeraries: Osman Baig, Josh Collins, Lev Levermore, Lucas Parish

Direction: Rupert Goold
Set: Hildegard Bechtler
Costume: Jon Morrell
Lighting: Jon Clark
Composition and Sound: Adam Cork
Fight Direction: Terry King
Casting: Joyce Nettles
Resident Director: Emma Butler
Costume Supervision: Jemima Penny
Movement Consultant: Anna Morrissey
Sound Associate: Sheila Atim
Design Assistant: Luke Smith

First perf of this production of Richard III at Almeida Theatre, June 7, 2016

2016-06-19 21:02:47