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Richard III

Drama on 3 The tragedy of King Richard III By William Shakespeare. Douglas Henshall stars as the hunchback Duke of Gloucester intent on seizing the throne of England from his young nephews, in this production of on of the bard’s most popular plays. Richard, Duke of Gloucester ..  Douglas Henshall Buckingham    Ben Miles Lady Anne Jasmine Hyde Queen Elizabeth .Anastasia Hill Duchess of York Geraldine James Margaret .Barbara Jefford Clarence .. Michael Maloney King Edward ...Mark Bazely Hastings Paul Bentall Lord Stanley John Rowe First murderer Jonathan Keeble Second murderer .Stephen Critchlow Tyrell ..Ewan Bailey Dorset Stuart Bunce Grey Chris Moran Lovel Damiam Lynch York .Rory Copus Edward .Alex Green First Citizen .. Rachel Atkins Second Citizen Cherie Taylor-Baptiste Third citizen .Frances Jeater Lord Mayor . Ioan Meredith Brackenbury . Gerald McDermott Cardinal Peter Marinker Ratcliff Declan Wilson Original composed and realised by David Pickvance Directed by Marc Beeby

The director, Marc Beeby discusses the historical background of the play, and explains how he approached the performances and ‘sound world’ of the production. The tragedy of King Richard the Third – to give the play its full title – concludes Shakespeare’s first sequence of historical plays.  The preceding works – Henry VI, PARTS I, II and III – sometimes referred to as Richard, Duke of York - are primarily concerned with the turbulent reign of Henry VI and with the Wars of the Roses, the struggle between the dynastic houses of Lancaster and York.  They show us a world of political turmoil in which Henry VI’S grip on the crown is so slight that a succession of people are able to seize temporary power as a result of victory in battle.  The main protagonists of these plays live in a closed, incestuous society, a society which has been at war in one way or another for more than 90 years. The Tragedy of King Richard the Third brings the seemingly endless struggle for dominion to an end.  It seems at first, however, that was has been over for some time.  Richard complains that they are in a “weak piping time of peace”.  Yet it is clear from his brother Edward’s attempts to end the feuding between the various factions at his court that real peace is a very long way off.  The characters still inhabit a martial world.  Fighting is commonplace.  Assassination is a major tool of statecraft. Alliances are expediently formed, only to be betrayed. Promises are broken. Trusts - and conscience - are destroyed. How do you live with this? Answer: by plotting, by watching your back.  By paying attention to rumour and spreading lies.  By whispering in corners.  Paranoia is rife – but in this world, they probably are out to get you.  This is an illness and the country is sick.  Richard is the embodiment of this disease. Douglas Henshall’s acutely focussed performance brings out the self-ironising pity, rage and bitterness that underpins Richard’s will to power.  His is a Richard who is prepared to do the unthinkable to gain the throne, only to realise that he will die loveless and alone. But that is how it should be.  With his death on Bosworth Field and the establishment of the Tudor dynasty under the Earl of Richmond (Henry VII), the disease is defeated and the country healed. BBC Radio 3 Publicity

Douglas Henshall rises to the challenge of giving Lawrence Olivier a run for his money by taking the lead in Drama on 3: Richard III. Henshall does malevolence magnificently as the embittered, hunchbacked royal, plotting the murders of pretty much his entire family in order to become the king Of England. The Guide February 14-20th February

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