Richard III

‘Richard III’ directed by Mike McCall, is showing in the Upstairs Theatre at Curtin University each evening at 8.00 pm until 8^th March.

            Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Daniel Gillett) was born with many deformities, which this self-pitying ogre blames on all in sight for his plight. He is despised by everyone, and yet amazingly manages to muster enough helpers to enable him to attain his one aim in life, to become king. To achieve this, he systematically works his way through the royal family tree, killing all who may have a claim to the throne. Then, despite his repulsion, he can still turn on enough charm (or fear) to win the hearts of the widows and sisters of those he has murdered - and take them to his bed.
            He becomes king, but will his nemesis, an old bag-lady - previously Queen Margaret (Whitney Richards), actually beat him at his own game?

Another 150 minute epic, which although performed in a 150 sq. metre theatre, really came off.  McCall (who recently gave Perth a brilliant version of Macbeth) returns with this contemporary version of Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III’. It is presented by the Curtin Performance Studies’ students.
The average person in the street is often less than enthusiastic about Shakespeare's tragedies, commenting that they are too difficult to understand. Here we have a cast who spell out the story lucidly, without any of the hammy body actions. Several strong performances, especially Gillett who is ingratiating, two-faced and subtly slimes his way through the script. A couple of weaker performances by relative new-comers.
The final fight scene with Lord Richmond (powerful performance by Alex Littlewood), is most convincing and original in its concept (Andy Fraser fight director).

This version is strongly recommended to students of English and those who wish to understand the psyche of the play’s characters. Booking may be advisable. Most enjoyable.