The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 25.096  Thursday, 27 February 2014

 

From:        Hardy M. Cook <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>

Date:         Thursday, February 27, 2014

Subject:     Folger Shakespeare Theatre’s RICHARD III

 

RICHARD III

Directed by Robert Richmond

Folger Elizabethan Theatre

January 28–March 16, 2014

 

I saw the Folger Richard III last night. 

 

It was quite an experience to see the transformed Folger Elizabethan Theatre space as theater-in-the-round. The stage itself was one of the more interesting aspects of the show. There is a YouTube video of the theater’s transformation from proscenium to theater-in-the-round here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=K0vSkBo5M60

 

I will remember this production as the Goth-Carpark Richard. Every time someone was dispatched, the corpse ended up being stashed below the stage in grave-like compartments. 

 

Costuming was distinctly Goth. All the men wore black and Queen Elizabeth wore a dominatrix top and had black fingernail polish. 

 

You might think this was all a setup for black humor, but no—this was the darkest, least funny Richard III of my experience. Imagine a Richard that does not Vice-like share and thoroughly enjoy his villainy in asides. This Richard was just a villain, not a villain relishing his own wickedness.

 

There were no laughs in the first part and only a few in the second during the time Buckingham directed the audience to encourage Richard to become king. I got my greatest laugh went I was leaving and realized that in the central compartment of the stage where Richard was stowed there were bones laid out as Richard’s skeleton was displayed in photographs after being discovered in Leicester. That was funny. 

 

The staging was fluid, adapted well to the space. 

 

My biggest complaint was that some of the scenes were interminable. I would have cut much more. However, one consequence of the script as acted was that there was a more prominent role given to the women than is usual in performance. 

 

However, as I sat in this space I could not help but remember with fondness the finest Richard III I have seen, Stacy Keach, in that very place in 1990. Stacy really enjoyed every moment of his performance, as did I.

 

Cast:

Jenna Berk: Princess Elizabeth

Holden Brettell: Prince Edward

Remy Brettell: Prince of York

Drew Cortese: King Richard III

Andrew Criss: Ratcliffe, Friar

Daniel Flint: Lovell, Friar

Sean Fri: Hastings, Tyrrel

Michael Gabriel Goodfriend: Rivers, Richmond

Nanna Ingvarsson: Duchess of York

Naomi Jacobson: Queen Margaret

Alyssa Wilmoth Keegan: Lady Anne

Paul Morella: Edward, Mayor, Norfolk

Julia Motyka: Queen Elizabeth

Howard W. Overshown: Buckingham

Michael Sharon: Clarence, Catesby

Richard Sheridan Willis: Stanley

 

Artistic Team:

Robert Richmond: Director

Tony Cisek: Scenic Designer

Mariah Hale: Costume Designer

Jim Hunter: Lighting Designer

Eric Shimelonis, Sound Designer and Music Composition

Casey Dean Kaleba: Fight Director

Michele Osherow: Resident Dramaturg

Daryl Eisenberg: CSA New York Casting

Che Wernsman: Production Stage Manager

Keri Schultz: Assistant Stage Manager

 

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