Under Development
Shakespeare had Viola passing herself off as a man in Twelfth
Night, so surely the Bard would have approved of an all-woman cast? Noting the preponderence
of males in his plays, Derby Shakespeare director Jenny Billington Earl has long
desired to showcase the company's female talent. Her crusade has been commendably
realised.
I was bemused at first - why were the King's three yes-men all dressed in Asian-style dresses, while two of them had their long locks a-flowing?
No matter, as the blessed plot of this history play gained momentum, even the cries of "gentlemen!" didn't jar the proceedings. Gender was forgotten as we absorbed ourselves in Richard's fall from a monarch secure in his divine power to that of a deeply flawed foolhardy, "frantic man".
This simply but effectively-staged production ringed with clarity and resounded with emotion as it poured out the poetry of Shakespeare's tale of a sorry ruler of "this scepter'd isle".
Amongst an excellent cast, Lorna Harrington is assured as ever as the honourable Bolingbroke, seeking to depose the King, and Joanna Hands' withering curse on Richard as the dying John O'Gaunt is a tour de force.
But top honours to Caroline Reader for her rounded and expressive King Richard - a riveting portrayal of an unfeeling, unhinged and, ultimately tragic monarch.
Ashleigh Franklin
Derby Evening Telegraph, 28th September 2001