THE FIRST OF THE WARS OF THE ROSES PLAYS

Joely Richardson heads up this gripping distillation of Shakespeare's Lancaster vs York plays, in a saga that provided the basis for Game of Thrones. Three plays, one 100 years war, all for the crown of England. Richardson stars as Princess Margaret of Anjou, whose story runs through all of the plays as a politically savvy woman. Directed by award-winning Trevor Nunn, this play will run in rep with Edward IV and Richard III and is set to be a stunning revival of Shakespeare's works at the Rose Theatre in Kingston, Surrey.

SO STARTS THE REAL GAME OF THRONES

This play starts after the death of Henry V, the warrior king who conquered northern France. Unfortunately his heir is an infant and thus whose claim to the throne must be protected by regents against the scheming House of York. Henry's symbol is a red rose; York's is a white one. Thus the War of the Roses begins.

A now teenage King Henry VI is married against his will to Margaret of Anjou, a beautiful French princess who has already fallen in love with another man, and is less than keen on her young groom. Meanwhile in France, a certain young Joan of Arc causes mayhem when she wins historic victories over the English, causing even more strife for a country torn apart by civil war.

For Part Two: Edward IV Click here

For Part Three: Richard III Click here