Little Known Shakespeare Gets Full Treatment

Little Known Shakespeare Gets Full Treatment

Coinciding with the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, Sceptre Theatre promises to shine new light on Richard II, a lesser known play in the Shakespearean canon. The production features a twelve strong cast of some Wellington’s finest performers including Hayden Frost (Summer Shakespeare's Timon of Athens, The Almighty Johnsons) Brianne Kerr (Wellington Theatre Awards’ Supporting Actress of the Year - Richard III), Patrick Davies (The Pitmen Painters, A Servant to Two Masters) and Maggie White (SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company 2010).

The play follows King Richard who, believing himself to be appointed by God, makes increasingly damaging decisions to the realm, creating large social unrest. When Richard seizes the lands of John of Gaunt right after his passing, Gaunt's son Bolingbroke wages a rebellion against the king. Richard finds his divine right challenged, and, seeking aid from his allies, discovers dissent from even his most trusted advisors.

Often confused with Shakespeare's more iconic historical king, the snarling Richard III, this Richard is less an out and out villain and more of an enigma, closer to the tragic figures of Hamlet and King Lear.

"The fact that it's so underappreciated is a tragedy in and of itself," says Director James Cain, believing that such a significant anniversary was a perfect introduction to it for New Zealand. "We're going to give it the full treatment, so audiences can experience a story that's as complex and lyrical as the well-known classics".

Along with the language, Cain is excited to push the boundaries of what can be done theatrically, utilizing the full height and scale of the Propeller Stage at BATS Theatre. Drawing from the text and its descriptions of the land as an 'other eden’, set designer Lucas Neal (Spring Awakening, Long Ago Long Ago, Knifed) has envisaged a kingdom for Richard that is both holy and majestic but also tactile, able to be stormed and overthrown.

Paired with the lighting design of Tony Black (Winner - Most Promising Emerging Artist - Fringe 2016), the costumes of Harriet Denby (Love and Information, Far Away, This Fair Verona) and the music of Flinn Gendall (Knifed, Against the Piercing Sun) the production promises to be as brave and energetic as the text that Shakespeare has gifted, an experience in the theatre not easily forgotten.

Richard is on at BATS Theatre on the Propeller Stage from 18th-27th August, 6:30pm. Book online at bats.co.nz or call (04) 8024175 $18 Full, $14 Concession.

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