Richard 111 at WAAPA

"now is the winter of our discontent" it maybe but at WAAPA last night, there was no discontent in the audience who enjoyed the opening performance of Richard 111 by 3rd acting students. This production, directed by John Sheedy, is (mercifully some would say) a trimmed down version of Shakespeare's play, using 8 of this year's 3rd students playing 20 characters between them. The set design is a circus tent-brilliant-and those 8 performers give the audience 90 minutes of their best. Richard 111, played by Scott Sheridan, made up with a clown's face is outstanding. My companion, (who will remain nameless but is a habitue of community theatre in Perth)told me Scott is a local who started off in Community theatre here. He remembers seeing him in GRADS productions of Away and Blood Brothers. Well, if Scott is an example of what can come from starting out in community theatre, it confirms community theatre is an important resource to support. The remaining players, slip from one character to another with fluidity and simplicity. Their work in this production is an absolute credit to them. Shakespeare did Richard 111 no favours in his fictionalisation of history surrounding that King. This production pulls no punches, Richard is still Shakespeare's murderous monster but with that's clown's face I could not help but be charmed, I liked him! This production plays for only another 3 performances at WAAPA, 29 August & 1 & 3 September, then it is off to Bunbury for performances there on 24 & 25 September. I highly recommend this production. If you like a contemporary take on Shakespeare this is for you. ***** Stars from me Another example of the importance and value of Australia's premier performing arts academy. It's your WAAPA Perth, support it!