By William
Shakespeare
Director:
Peter Evans. Designer: Anna Cordingley. Lighting Designer: Benjamin Cisterne.
Composer:
Steve Toulmin. Sound Designer: Michael Toisuta
The
Playhouse: Canberra Theatre Centre: 7th – 15th April
2017.
Reviewed by Bill
Stephens.
 |
| Kate Mulvany as Richard 3 Photo: Prudence Upton |
If you’re of
the mind that sitting in a theatre watching a rarely performed 400 year-old
Shakespearean play about a murderous king, with the king played by a slip of a
girl, might not be your idea of a fun night in the theatre, then think
again. When the director is Peter Evans,
and the slip of a girl is Kate Mulvany, this play becomes a ripping yarn,
packed with mesmerising performances, the memory of at least one of which is
likely to stay with you for a very long time. And even though this play was
written centuries ago, the subject matter could hardly be more relevant. In
fact in the program notes Peter Evans states “…this play is completely about
Trump”.
In this
production, the action of the play is confined to a single luxurious room in
which Richard is continually surrounded by his elegantly dressed family, and a
constantly evolving group of loyal sycophants. The period of the furniture and
clothes is ambiguous. When not talking directly to Richard, the characters pose
elegantly and plot among themselves in the background. More than once they perform
a strangely unsettling re-wind masque neatly confirming the decadence and hopelessness
of their situation which compels them to watch
on calmly as murder takes place.
Ten actors
play all the characters. Several of the men play multiple roles. Mulvany is not
the only woman in the cast to play a cross-gender role. For those not familiar
with the play, this tends be a little confusing, but the main thrust of the play,
and the intentions of the characters, is always clear.
 |
| Kate Mulvany as Richard 3 Photo: Prudence Upton |
Kate Mulvany
is simply astonishing as Richard. Gender quickly becomes irrelevant in her
interpretation of this misshapen despot, completely ruthless and self-absorbed in
his ambition to become the king. From
the moment she steps on the stage and confronts the audience with a dismissive
leer, it is impossible to take your eyes off her as she scampers around the
stage like some malevolent spider looking for its next victim. It’s a performance
full of risk, and Mulvany embraces each challenge with obvious relish.
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| Gareth Reeves (Clarence), Sarah Woods (Duchess of York) James Evans (Buckingham) Photo: Prudence Upton |
Evans has
surrounded Mulvany with a top-notch cast which includes Meredith Penman as
Queen Elizabeth, Sarah Woods as the Duchess of York, and Sandy Gore, quite splendid
as the indomitable Queen Margaret. Rose Riley is excellent playing both Lady
Anne and Prince Edward, both of whom come to sticky ends. James Evans as
Richard’s protector, Buckingham, and James Lugton, Ivan Donato, Gareth Reeves
and Kevin Macisaac, each bring strong commitment and presence to their multiple
roles in a production that constantly fascinates with its wit and complexity.
This review also appears in Australian Arts Review. www.artsreview.com.au
