Theatre / Reviews
Review: Richard III, Bristol Old Vic
The world in 2019 is an evil place, with just this week seeing increasing incidents of knife crime and a father jailed for organising a “monstrous” acid attack on his three-year-old son.
And yet evil is nothing new, as exemplified in Richard III at Bristol Old Vic which sees an uncle murder his two young nephews as well as other members of his own family in order to become king of England.
This version of Shakespeare’s play brings together three parts of Henry VI and Richard III to show what director John Haidar in his programme notes calls “a transition between an old and a new world order: we exit a medieval, devoutly Christian universe and enter a Machiavellian world of mercantile power politics, where pragmatism and rationalism supercede conventional morality”.
Richard III features a strong ensemble cast
Presented by Bristol Old Vic associate company Headlong – who were last at the King Street theatre with Junkyard, a musical about a playground in Lockleaze – this production is both ancient and modern, with historic themes brought bang up to date.
Game of Thrones is an obvious reference point, with designer Chiara Stephenson’s set including a golden crown slowly lowering from the ceiling during the first half of the play until (spoiler alert) it is placed on Richard’s head at the start of act two.
Richard is played with magnificent intensity by Tom Mothersdale, with a strong supporting cast who are just as effective either dead or alive thanks to an ingenious collection of mirrors and doorways enabling Richard’s victims to very much inhabit the same world as those still alive.
There is still fun to be had among the scheming and bloodshed, with the audience at the heart of the action in this visceral, intense and strikingly symbolic production.
Richard III is at Bristol Old Vic until April 13. For tickets and more information, visit www.bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/richard-iii
Read more: Preview: Richard III, Bristol Old Vic
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