![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Richard III
Jul. 22nd, 2017 01:47 pmI wouldn't normally see two different productions of the same play within the space of two months - inevitably the two will be compared, and anyway there are lots of other plays out there. But on this occasion it was inevitable. I had already booked to see Greg Hicks when Antic Disposition announced their new tour. We really enjoyed their production of Henry V last year, and I would have looked at seeing them again anyway, but since they were once more in Gloucester Cathedral I had to go.
The play was performed in the choir and right at the edge of the presbytery - the doors at either end providing entrances. There was very little in the way of props, two thrones at one end, some boxes to give added height occasionally at the other, but their absence didn't matter. Again it was in modern dress, suits for the most part, formal army dress for Richard on his coronation, battle dress for the battle. The parts of the two young princes were played by two of the female actors, who also played two of the queens, so smart outfits as queens, torn jeans as princes.
Richard, played by Toby Manley, was excellent as the manipulative future king. At one point, after his wooing of Anne he turned round smiling broadly at the audience. I was smiling broadly too and he grinned at me. We were sitting in the front seats of the choir.
There was plenty of engagement with the audience. In anticipation of the young Prince Edward's arrival in London, Catesby handed out flags to wave. I was slightly disappointed SM was given one and I wasn't - but he waved his furiously at the right moment.
One of the things I particularly liked was that as the various characters were killed they would take their place at one end of the space as silent witnesses to the following action. The characters alternated, so it didn't become overcrowded, but I felt it was particularly effective.
Apart from the young princes, there were a number of other actors who had two roles, but it wasn't noticeable and without looking at the programme I wouldn't have been aware of who was who. In particular one actor played both Rivers and Richmond and I would never have realised.
It was a really good production, very different from the last one I'd seen, and one I'd recommend.
( Gloucester Cathedral )
It's taken from the Organ Loft. We were sat about half way down at the front on the right.
The play was performed in the choir and right at the edge of the presbytery - the doors at either end providing entrances. There was very little in the way of props, two thrones at one end, some boxes to give added height occasionally at the other, but their absence didn't matter. Again it was in modern dress, suits for the most part, formal army dress for Richard on his coronation, battle dress for the battle. The parts of the two young princes were played by two of the female actors, who also played two of the queens, so smart outfits as queens, torn jeans as princes.
Richard, played by Toby Manley, was excellent as the manipulative future king. At one point, after his wooing of Anne he turned round smiling broadly at the audience. I was smiling broadly too and he grinned at me. We were sitting in the front seats of the choir.
There was plenty of engagement with the audience. In anticipation of the young Prince Edward's arrival in London, Catesby handed out flags to wave. I was slightly disappointed SM was given one and I wasn't - but he waved his furiously at the right moment.
One of the things I particularly liked was that as the various characters were killed they would take their place at one end of the space as silent witnesses to the following action. The characters alternated, so it didn't become overcrowded, but I felt it was particularly effective.
Apart from the young princes, there were a number of other actors who had two roles, but it wasn't noticeable and without looking at the programme I wouldn't have been aware of who was who. In particular one actor played both Rivers and Richmond and I would never have realised.
It was a really good production, very different from the last one I'd seen, and one I'd recommend.
( Gloucester Cathedral )
It's taken from the Organ Loft. We were sat about half way down at the front on the right.
