RICHARD III
Why, I can smile; and murder while I smile
England has been broken by relentless civil strife between the families of Lancaster and victorious York. As the smoke clears, Richard Gloucester, the self-professed deformed son bitterly dismissed by his triumphant family, unleashes his bloody ambition upon the royal line to seize that which should be his – the Crown.
In the unique surrounds of UWA's New Fortune Theatre, a large cast will explore a play renowned for its dark humour and ironic tragedy as well as its stark commentary on the motives and manipulations of those who we empower to lead our society. This production reveals a monarchy more akin to the Sopranos than the Windsors.
Audiences can expect a quick-witted and high energy approach that captures the imagination and enlightens the verse. The design will blend the excess of contemporary culture with the best flourishes of Elizabethan eclecticism. Clarity is the name of the game in this production, so that audiences can realise the sumptuous creativity that exists within the play.
Shakespeare’s most adored and reviled villain is instantly recognizable in this new GRADS production of Richard III.