Richard III
Richard III reunites Kevin Spacey and Sam Mendes for the first time since their 1999 film American Beauty, for which the actor and director both won Oscars.
Why see Richard III?
Richard III reunites Kevin Spacey and Sam Mendes for the first time since their 1999 film American Beauty, for which the actor and director both won Oscars.
Spacey is directed by Mendes on stage at the Old Vic in the title role of Richard III, Shakespeare's iconic history play.
Richard III opens with one of the most famous lines from Shakespeare: "Now is the winter of our discontent." What follows is a tale of the Machiavellian monarch's rise to power and short rule.
Richard III is the sole production in the third year of The Bridge Project, an initiative between the Old Vic, the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York and Mendes's company Neal Street Productions. Since 2009 a season of productions has been presented in both London and New York as well as on international tour.
Spacey is joined on stage by a company of British and American actors.
Key Information
Audience
Richard III is suitable for audiences aged 12 and upwards.
Run Time
3 hours 15 minutes.
Dates
Finished 11 Sep 2011
Cast
Kevin Spacey as Richard III
Haydn Gwynne as Queen Elizabeth
Chuk Iwuji as Buckingham
Gemma Jones as Queen Margaret
Maureen Anderman
Stephen Lee Anderson
Jeremy Bobb
Nathan Darrow
Jack Ellis
Isaiah Johnson
Andrew Long
Katherine Manners
Howard Overshown
Simon Lee Phillips
Gary Powell
Michael Rudko
Annabel Scholey
Gavin Stenhouse
Hannah Stokely
Chandler Williams
Haydn Gwynne as Queen Elizabeth
Chuk Iwuji as Buckingham
Gemma Jones as Queen Margaret
Maureen Anderman
Stephen Lee Anderson
Jeremy Bobb
Nathan Darrow
Jack Ellis
Isaiah Johnson
Andrew Long
Katherine Manners
Howard Overshown
Simon Lee Phillips
Gary Powell
Michael Rudko
Annabel Scholey
Gavin Stenhouse
Hannah Stokely
Chandler Williams
Creative
Author - William Shakespeare
Director - Sam Mendes
Set Design - Tom Piper
Costumes - Catherine Zuber
Lighting - Paul Pyant
Sound - Gareth Fry
Projection - Jon Driscoll
Music - Mark Bennett
Director - Sam Mendes
Set Design - Tom Piper
Costumes - Catherine Zuber
Lighting - Paul Pyant
Sound - Gareth Fry
Projection - Jon Driscoll
Music - Mark Bennett
Reviews
Customer reviews
13 reviews, average rating: (2.9 Stars)
Wendy K.
Brilliant interpretation
The mixed genres (Shakespeare with a little punk and jazz on the side) build together harmoniously, and the casting adds another dimension of meaning to this portrait of a villain. Loved it! ... Read more
Annie Dev
Powerful and gripping
Was there last night. Paid full price and was not disappointed. Kevin Spacey is in a class of his own. How often do you get the whole house giving a standing ovation?
Can't understand the earlier poor reviews. This is not a play I know intimately but followed everything with ease. The performance was gripping; Kevin Spacey's sheer force and energy were amazing. ... Read more
Mrs P
Richard III
I saw this last night. Fabulous. I've seen Jude Law, Patrick Stewart and Derek Jacobi all doing Shakespeare, BUT last night? WOW. Amazing and Shakespeare so well done. No over acting here just speechless really. I know my history and I know my Shakespeare. Sam Mendes has cleverly interpreted Shakespeares villanous take on Richard III (which history tells us is incorrect) and the use of propaganda and murder to get what he wants but adding the final twist of facing your ultimate critic; God and your consience. Marvellous. Gemma Jones as Queen Margaret was great too, as was the chap who played Hastins. ... Read more
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