A Tale of Royal Tyranny and Deceit

Shakespeare’s Richard III - a tale of tyranny, jealousy, manipulation and deceit. ‘Hughes’s Richard… is a triumph’ (The Daily Telegraph ★★★★★).

‘Conscience is but a word that cowards use’

Young Richard of Gloucester uses the chaos of the Wars of the Roses to begin his unscrupulous climb to power. Despite being manifestly unfit to govern, he seizes the crown as King Richard III. But how does he do it?
How do we let tyrants get away with it? How do they find their way to power? Why do we buy into it? And how can it be stopped?

Richard III is a savagely comic analysis of the exercise of power. It reminds us both of the dangers of tyranny and of our duty not to let it go unchecked.

This performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company, directed by Gregory Doran and featuring Arthur Hughes as Richard, is the thrilling climax to Shakespeare’s first great history cycle.

“Doran's fine production...cracks through with the pace of a thriller...starkly powerful’ (The Financial Times ★★★★)

‘A production of magisterial stagecraft that builds to a powerful climax’ (The Guardian)

‘...there is plenty to enjoy in this straightforward, uncomplicated retelling of Shakespeare's twisted history... Gregory Doran helms this clamorous offering’ (WhatsOnStage ★★★★)

Genre Theatre
Production Company Royal Shakespeare Company
Stage Director Gregory Doran
Recording location The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Production year 2022
Distribution DVD Naxos Rights (Europe) Ltd
Distribution VOD Naxos Rights (Europe) Ltd