Written by William
Shakespeare
Directed by Peter
Evans
Bell Shakespeare
Canberra Theatre Centre
Playhouse to 15 April
Reviewed by Len Power
7 April 2017
The key to Bell Shakespeare’s new production of ‘Richard the
Third’ is in its renaming. ‘Richard 3’ tells
us that we are looking at the play from a modern perspective and having Richard
played by a woman certainly indicates that the show will challenge
expectations. That it is so successful
is a credit to everyone involved.
One of Shakespeare’s history plays, ‘Richard 3’ concerns itself
with the rise to the English throne of Richard and his eventual downfall. Richard is one of the great characters in
Shakespeare and a feast for any actor to play.
Peter Evans’ production is set in a lavishly appointed room
in an unspecified place and time. In his
program notes, Peter Evans explains that, ”I’m not interested in creating a contemporary
equivalent to a historical event or finding some period or location that makes
modern sense of where Shakespeare set the play. I think each of the plays exist
on the stage and that they always have truth and reality in them, but not
necessarily through representing real locations and real spaces.”
Evans’ approach means that we can focus clearly on the characters
and their motivations without distractions.
The designer, Anna Cordingley, captures the director’s vision with a
grand set and lavish costumes that can’t be pinned down to any particular place
and time.
The acting of the ensemble cast is first rate. Rose Riley gives a very strong performance of
conflicted emotions as Lady Anne who marries Richard even though she knows that
he murdered her husband. James Evans is
an excellent Buckingham and Sandy Gore as Queen Margaret and Sarah Woods as the
Duchess of York also give fine performances.
Several of the company play multiple roles and if you’re not familiar with
the play, this can be a bit confusing. A
read of the synopsis in the program beforehand would be a good idea.
 |
| From left: Ivan Donato, Kate Mulvaney, Meredith Penman |
The success of this particular production ultimately depends
on whether the playing of Richard by a woman works or not. Kate Mulvaney gives a towering performance in
the role and is totally believable as this character. Although Richard shows he is capable of great
evil, Mulvaney invests him with personal qualities that give us a better understanding
of the man and his motivations. Richard’s
attitude towards women in the play comes as a shock in Mulvaney’s delivery and
is all the more effective as a result. Anyone
thinking this is gimmick casting will be stunned at how well this works.
Cast photo by Prudence Upton
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 ‘Artcetera’ program (9am Saturdays) and
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