REVIEW: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF RICHARD III, after William Shakespeare at Barons Court Theatre 5 - 10 February 2024

‘the drive towards experimentation is leading to good things’ ★★★★

This is the second production from artistic directors Tor Lighten and Hugo Papiernik at Messy Kind. It’s a potted version of one of Shakespeare’s history plays taking the finest soliloquys, and dramatic moments to their heights in a matter of moments. It shouldn’t work, but in todays faster moving world, and more limited attention spans, it feels fresh, relevant and it captures the zeitgeist.

There is a lot of bloody murder as Richard, Duke of Gloucester, calmly pledges to take away all the obstacles in his path to the crown.  If these deaths failed to shock due to the speed with which they occurred, or because this is what we expect of the play, then other moments really did hit home, with gasps from the audience.  With just one single flag ornamenting the stage, it doubled up as one of the few props used in this stripped back production. 

One of the trump cards of this large cast, youthful version of the play, is actor Joshua J Parker in the title role.  Do check out the article in the Guardian about disabled actors reappropriating the role.  With Parker’s slight disability the role suddenly makes so much sense. Right from the beginning the bitterness of how disabled people are treated comes across without the need to overplay the role as successive actors have done in the past. He is beautifully understated and has the charm to draw the audience in and make his thoughts crystal clear, we are hanging on his every word. Richard will stick to the game plan, no matter how ruthless he may need to be.   

The whole cast keeps it low key, without any necessity to indicate anything to the audience. It is nice to be trusted for a change.   It’s hard to praise one actor above the other as all of them had a handle on their characters, but perhaps Thomas Bliss as (King Edward & Lord Ratcliffe), and Hugo Papienik (as Duke of Buckingham) added interest to the play with their unique looks. Along with other actors, they both gave layered performance and had deep ownership of their roles.  Albeit, cameo roles, in this speed Shakespeare drama.

It would be pleasant to believe that this play might make a good introduction to Shakespeare’s history plays. The hope being that new audiences will flock to see the full-length version with more patience to enjoy the subtedly of Shakespeare’s work.   As for Messy Kind, their drive towards experimentation is leading to good things.    It’s certainly worth catching Parker in this role, as he surely has a future as an actor.  He’s already been picked up by the BBC and who know when we might get another chance to see him on the stage.

Photography by Mercedes Assad

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF RICHARD III, after William Shakespeare at Barons Court Theatre 5 - 10 February 2024

The show lasts for 60 mins without an interval.

Box Office https://www.baronscourttheatre.com/richard-iii

Adaptation by Tabatha Ketteringham & Hugo Papiernik

Matthew George-Williams: Director

Tor Lighten & Hugo Papiernik: Associate Directors

Trekessa Austin: Lighting Designer

Hugo Papiernik: Sound Designer

Producers: Messy Kind & Vitium Productions

Cast:

Joshua J Parker: Richard III

Matthew George-Williams: Earl of Richmond & Murderer

Hugo Papiernik: Duke of Buckingham

Tor Lighten: Lady Anne & News Anchor

Matthew Rowan: Lord Rivers

Kay Terry: Duke of Clarence

Katie Clucas: Queen Elizabeth

Thomas Bliss: King Edward& Lord Ratcliffe

Harry Burton: The Voice of King Henry

Isaac Rona: The Voice of the Young Prince

Reviewed by Heather Jeffery