Richard II, Shakespeare's Globe ****

 

 

In between the RSC's Richard II with David Tennant, the choice to programme this play at the Globe this year seemed strange. I am seeing the RSC production in the Autumn but have heard very good things about it therefore this production would need to convince me if it was to compete with Doran's production.
It is safe to say that the RSC will need to seriously impress to top this splendid production. You first notice the amazing set design from Paul Willis, capturing the extravagance and ceremony in the court of Richard and also the religion,with a walkway shaped like a cross or cathedral to capture the fall of a king in a Christ- like fashion. Whilst no one is portrayed particularly well in the play, Richard is the most sympathetic and his fall from grace feels similar to the passion from the overt references to Pilate to being ultimately betrayed by his once loyal follower, Aumerle who is played with fire and wit by Graham Butler. Charles Edward's king is tremendous, showing flare and elegance which descends into raw emotion gradually throughout the play in a way that is painful to watch. Sturzaker is brilliantly dark yet righteous as Bolingbroke, a character that is complicated and interesting to play. The rest of the cast do the production credit and are fascinating to watch. This is another hit from Godwin and the Globe as the season gets into full flow.