Richard 3

Continuing on their quest to daringly reimagine Shakespeare’s works with a boldness and unexpectedness that will leave audiences breathless, Bell Shakespeare presents in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra their first production of 2017, Richard 3 – a dark and visceral production that is not to be missed.

Richard is hideous. And Richard was born knowing that he would one day be a ruler. His hunchbacked deformity masks his seething malevolence. His brutal mind breeds brutal times when not even children are safe. Award-winning actor Kate Mulvany (The Literati and Tartuffe) will embody one of the most ambitious and gleefully amoral villains ever written.

“Announcing any new production to our audiences is always a special experience because we’re sharing something that we’ve worked passionately on for months, sometimes years to make happen,” says Artistic Director, Peter Evans. “The announcement of Richard 3 is particularly dear to me because of how long Kate and I have been working on bringing this production to audiences.”

Richard 3 is a play that revels in naked ambition and villainy. First performed around 1593, it is the portrait of a Machiavellian psychopath, a cold-blooded and dastardly manipulator who slaughters his family, marries his victim’s widow and eventually betrays his allies, all in his quest to become king.

“This is the third in a series of productions Kate and I have collaborated on over the years, including Julius Caesar (2011) and Macbeth (2012),” says Evans. “In both those productions and again in Richard 3, Kate explores these plays and the roles of women within them as an actor and dramaturg.”

“Richard 3 is a play where the grief and rage is carried by women who have to stand by as their husbands and sons die. Having Kate play the male protagonist, whose contempt for women is infamous, will bring a new layer to this production.”

Director: Peter Evans Featuring: Kate Mulvany, Gareth Reeves, Ivan Donato, Rose Riley, James Lugton, Meredith Penman, James Evans, Sandy Gore, Kevin Maclsaac, Sarah Woods Designer: Anna Cordingley Lighting Designer: Benjamin Cisterne Composer: Steve Toulmin Sound Designer: Michael Toisuta Movement & Fight Director: Nigel Poulton Dramaturg: Kate Mulvany Voice Coach: Jess Chambers