In Short…Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival continues its 22nd season under the tents in Vanier Park with Richard III. Directed by Kathryn Shaw, Richard III joins the Douglas Campbell Studio Stage programming on July 13. The play runs Tuesdays to Sundays, July 13 to September 23, 2011, under the tents in Vanier Park. Tickets $21 to $40. 604-739-0559 or www.bardonthebeach.org.
In Full…Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival continues its 22nd season and concludes its three-year History Cycle with Richard III. Directed by Kathryn Shaw, Richard III completes a two-play lineup in the intimate 240-seat Douglas Campbell Studio Stage tent and plays Tuesdays through Sundays July 13 through September 23, 2011 in Vanier Park.
Shakespeare’s popular Richard III delivers the closing chapter in the epic struggle between the houses of York and Lancaster for the ultimate prize – the English throne. Physically deformed and transparently amoral, Richard, Duke of Gloucester is one of the world’s most sinister yet seductive villains. He murders his way to the throne while manipulating not only the court around him but the audience itself. Relative or friend, man, woman or child – no one is safe from Richard’s ruthless intent until the long-exiled Henry Tudor arrives to claim his right to rule.
The bloody civil war between the Yorkists and Lancastrians is over and the Yorkist Edward IV (Joel Wirkkunen) sits on England’s throne. Not content with this time of peace, Edward’s youngest brother, Richard (Bob Frazer), Duke of Gloucester plots a determined course to become King. First, he quietly creates enmity between King Edward and their middle brother Clarence (Craig Erickson), who is taken to prison. Richard strengthens his position by marrying Lady Anne (Melissa Dionisio), who had been married to Lancastrian Edward, the Prince of Wales. Richard secretly hires two murderers (Josue Laboucane, Kyle Rideout) to kill Clarence in prison, knowing everyone will believe King Edward was responsible. When the ailing King hears the news of Clarence’s death, he dies as well, leaving behind young Prince Edward (Hayden Davies) as his heir as well as considerable strife at court. On one side of the dispute is his widow, Queen Elizabeth (Jillian Fargey) and her mother-in-law the Duchess of York (Nicola Lipman). On the other are Richard and his followers, resentful of the Queen’s ambitious relatives who have profited from Elizabeth’s influence with King Edward. Adding tension to the dueling sides is Queen Margaret (Linda Quibell), widow of Henry VI, and Lord Stanley (Gerry Mackay). Richard is named Lord Protector of King Edward’s sons, Prince Edward and Young York (Dante Zago), and he decides that they should lodge in the Tower of London until the Prince’s coronation. With the help of the Duke of Buckingham (Scott Bellis), he begins to plant doubts about the legitimacy of Edward and Elizabeth’s children, and even of the legitimacy of Edward himself. When Lord Hastings (Allan Morgan) makes clear his loyalty to Prince Edward, Richard pretends to discover a plot, accuses Hastings of participating in it and has him quickly executed. Along the way he also has Elizabeth’s brother, Lord Rivers (Mike Stack) and her son from her first marriage, Lord Grey (Dustin Freeland) arrested and executed. Marquis Dorset (Benjamin Elliott), fearing for his life, flees to France and joins Richmond. Buckingham continues to help Richard gain strength, convincing the Lord Mayor of London and the citizens that Richard should be king, while Richard feigns pious reluctance. Richard and Anne are crowned King and Queen; however Richard is not content. When he suggests to Buckingham that he wants the young Princes dead, the latter hesitates. Richard then turns his back on Buckingham and hires Tyrell to arrange the boys’ murder. Richard must raise an army to defend his crown. On the eve of the battle, the ghosts of Richard’s victims visit Richard in his tent to curse him. In the battle the following day, Richmond and his forces prevail and Richard is killed. With the intended marriage of Richmond and Princess Elizabeth, the houses of Lancaster and York are united and the Tudor era begins with the reign of Richmond, known as Henry VII (the father of Henry VIII).
Under the direction of Kathryn Shaw, Studio Stage Set Designer Pam Johnson revisits the thrust stage designs of past History Cycle productions and uses imagery to highlight Richard’s bloody rise to power. Sound Designer Owen Belton’s original sounds explore ominous themes and atmospheres. Costume Designer Sheila White brings a naturalistic, modern-medieval haute couture look to the sinister world of Richard. Lighting Designer Adrian Muir contributes to the sinister atmosphere and Fight Director Nicholas Harrison steers the tension, with added movement by Choreographer Treena Stubel. Stage Manager Joanne P.B. Smith is assisted by Samara Van Nostrand (Assistant Stage Manager) and Rebecca Mulvihill (Apprentice Stage Manager).
Performance details for Richard III are as follows:
- OPENS: July 16. PREVIEWS: July 13, 14, 15.
- Runs Tuesdays through Sundays from July 13 to September 23 – Douglas Campbell Studio Stage in Vanier Park.
- Plays in repertory with Henry VI: The Wars of the Roses which begins June 30.
- Bard Explored: Lecture & Discussion Series – June 25, July 16 & 23, August 6, 13 & 27, September 3 & 17
Play ticket prices include reserved seating, HST and are $40 (evenings) and $21 to $33 (previews & matinees) with a new $30 Youth Rate (25 years and under) for evening performances only. Order on-site, by phone at 604-739-0559 or online at www.bardonthebeach.org.
