Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is determined that he should wear the crown of England. He has already despatched one king and that king’s son; now all that stand in his way are two credulous brothers and two helpless nephews - the Princes in the Tower. And woe betide those – the women he wrongs, the henchmen he betrays - who dare to raise a voice against him.

Monstrous, but theatrically electric, Richard is Shakespeare’s most charismatic, self-delighting villain, revelling at every moment in his homicidal, hypocritical journey to absolute power.

An all-male Original Practices production, Richard III will explore clothing, music, dance and settings possible in around 1593.

Mark Rylance returns to the Globe for the first time since his tenure as artistic director between 1995 and 2005 to play Richard. Mark’s most recent stage appearence was in the West End as Johnny ‘Rooster’ Byron in the highly acclaimed production of Jerusalem at the Apollo Theatre and has previously won both Olivier and Tony awards for best actor.