Shakespeare in the Gardens 2008
RICHARD III
17 July - 9 August
This year's Exeter Northcott Theatre Company Shakespeare in the Gardens production is the epic Richard III. This is the 14th open air production in Exeter's city centre since the massively popular event began in 1995.
The production opens at Ludlow Castle in Shropshire this month, before returning to the atmospheric surroundings of the wooded moat of Exeter's Rougemont Castle from 17 July - 9 August.
Both castles are mentioned in the play. Richard, Duke of Gloucester - later to become Richard III - starts at the mention of "Rougemont", because it sounds similar to Richmond, a name associated with a prophecy of his own death, and the two sons of King Edward IV lived in Ludlow Castle. They become "the Princes in the Tower" when the scheming Richard has them incarcerated in the Tower of London.
Exeter Northcott's open-air productions have a reputation for being action-packed and very accessible for both seasoned Shakespeare fans and newcomers alike. Richard III contains some familiar elements, such as the story of The Princes in the Tower. There are also examples of phrases that have entered into common usage such as "The King's name is a tower of strength", and quotes which many will recognise such as "A horse! A horse, my kingdom for a horse!" and of course the opening lines of the play, "Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun of York..."
In Richard, Shakespeare has created the most compelling and audacious stage villain of all time, hell bent on a murderous and blood soaked course to the throne of England. Also gifted with some fantastically black humour, he is played by John Killoran, who appeared in the title role of last years Shakespeare in the Gardens production, Macbeth.
"Richard is a fantastic part for an actor," says director Ben Crocker, for whom this will be his last production as Artistic Director of Exeter Northcott. "He seems to enjoy evil just for the fun of it. But of course Shakespeare's creation is much more complex and there is a tragic inevitability to the whole arc of the play."
On staging the play both in Exeter and Ludlow, Ben Crocker says: "Working in the open air is very liberating. The elements, the sense of place and the sheer scale make our contact with the audience very different. I love the immediacy of this al fresco collision between the actors and the audience - and Richard III is, above all, a piece for performance."
As the sun sets over Rougemont Gardens, you'll be held spellbound as the plot thickens, and the body count mounts ever higher!
Tickets for this unmissable event are available on 01392 493493, or at www.exeternorthcott.co.uk
Notes for Editors
For reviewing tickets, interviews and more information please contact Andy Sinclair on 01392 493493 or at andrew.sinclair@ex.ac.uk
Cast
Richard III - JOHN KILLORAN
Lady Anne / Young York - ABBY LEAMON
Brackenbury / Stanley / Edward IV - OLIVER BEAMISH
Hastings / Urswick - JEFFREY HARMER
Clarence / Ratcliffe - WILLIAM OXBORROW
Buckingham - STUART ORGAN
Catesby / 2nd Murderer - JONATHAN Le BILLION
Margaret - LIZ CROWTHER
Richmond / Earl Rivers - PHILIP BUCK
Tyrell / Bishop / 1st Murderer - HARRY NAPIER
Duchess of York - ROMY BASKERVILLE
Elizabeth / Prince Edward - SASKIA PORTWAY
Musician - LISA LEE LESLIE
Creative Team
Director - BEN CROCKER
Set & Costume Designer - PHILIP WITCOMB
Lighting Designer - RUSSELL PAYNE
Composer / Musical Director - THOMAS JOHNSON
Costume Manager - TINAH MARCHANT
Casting Director - ANJI CARROLL
Fight Director - RENNY KRUPINSKI
Andy Sinclair
Press & PR Manager Exeter Northcott
Tel: (01392) 223984 Fax: (01392) 223996
