RICHARD II

4 - 25 FEBRUARY 2023

Holy Trinity Church, Guildford

Written by William Shakespeare | Adapted & Directed by Natasha Rickman |
Set & Costume Design by Neil Irish | Lighting Mark Dymock | Sound by Matt Eaton

2023 Annual Passes now on sale! 1 ticket - 7 shows! Go to Box Office for more

ABOUT

"A fantastic play has been given new life with this fabulous production."

Londontheatre1.com

"Modern retelling of betrayal and debauchery... stunning visuals... exquisite performances"

Reviews Hub

"The chaos, regime changes and background of unrelenting treachery make this a play for our times."

Plays International

"This cast makes electric Shakespeare’s dialogue… [it’s] clever and imaginative"

Surrey Advertiser

"Gripped from beginning to end"

British Theatre Guide

Audience Comments

"Horrifyingly relevant" | "Raw energy throughout - I was gripped to the end" | "Fallen in love with Shakespeare all over again!"
"Absolutely intense drama” | "Dramatic…enthralling…and littered with modern day parallels." | "Simply brilliant"

Parties in Whitehall.
Cruel drinking games in private members clubs.
A slaughtered pig’s head.
A culture of entitled misogyny... this is the court of Richard II.

Director Natasha Rickman (⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Prince, Southwark Playhouse) brings Shakespeare’s tragedy bang up to date in this politically charged new production.

In 2023, Richard II has never been more urgent:

The nation’s leadership changes on a pin. A war rages in Europe as the country continues to reel from an international pandemic. Recent events of a workforce demanding their worth be acknowledged have been compounded by disastrous taxation demands. Amidst this chaos, those in charge ride roughshod over established laws, plotting their way to power. Sound familiar?

Natasha "I'm delighted to be directing Richard II for GSC next year. It's a play examining power and politics, and is asking some very current questions about leadership and democracy. We are inviting audiences to travel with us through raucous members clubs, mahogany offices and palace gardens. There is alot of wit and nuance in the characters, and I can't wait to share this story with audiences, and be part of the conversation it invites."

Sarah Gobran, GSC Co-Founder Shakespeare’s perceptiveness about leadership, and the forensic examination he gives to those individuals, is one of his timeless appeals. Our 2017 Julius Caesar, staged in the shadow of the Brexit vote/Trump election, was testament to that. The discussions we’ve been having in rehearsals, the scenarios we’re exploring and the shocking parallels to our present political and economic circumstances are palpable. Natasha’s approach is extremely perceptive, without losing any of Shakespeare’s original intensity.”

CONTENT GUIDANCE

Shakespeare's Richard II contains themes of violence, bullying and murder. This production also contains loud music and noises, including gunshots, and occasional flashing lights. Guns are carried by several characters and there is one short scene depicting torture.  There are number of moments where blood is visible. If you would like more details on this content please click here Richard II - Content Guidance (further detail). Please note, that reading this will give advance notice of the play's action and is intended to for any patrons who wish to have advance knowledge of all elements of the performance to ensure they feel comfortable.

POST SHOW DISCUSSION 16 Feb, 7.30pm

Stay in your seat after the show finishes to discuss the themes of Richard II, the production and ask the cast any questions.

CHEESEBOARDS RETURN

Make the most of your trip to see Richard II and pre-order a delicious cheeseboard to savour DURING the show. Cheeseboards include a fabulous Cheddar, Brie and Stilton and come with a tangy onion chutney and crackers. Each board is enough for two persons. Why not add a bottle of wine to make it extra special, and save!

Click here for more details and to order

COMPANY

DANIEL BURKE plays the title role. Daniel was last with GSC as Laertes in Hamlet in 2022. His other credits include seasons with the RSC, Jermyn Street Theatre and the Mercury Colchester. Henry Bolingbroke is played by LAURA MATTHEWS, who has spent numerous seasons with the Stephen Joseph Theatre, directed by Alan Ayckbourn. SALLY CHENG appeared in our 2018 open-air season and as Mole in our online The Wind in the Willows during lockdown. Her other theatre work includes seasons with the RSC and recently The Play that Goes Wrong in the West End. ANNE KAVANAGH first worked with us in our sell-out staged reading of Troilus & Cressida in April 2022. Anne has also appeared in Grapes of Wrath (Chichester Festival Theatre) and in BBC TV's Call the Midwife. LUKE LATCHMAN has also worked for the RSC and Everyone’s Talking About Jamie (West End). EDWARD PAYNE was in our 2016 staged-reading of The Two Noble Kinsmen and has recently been part of Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre's season in Chester. SARAH GOBRAN and MATT PINCHES are GSC Co-Founders.

Read their full biographies in the programme, available to order when you book your tickets!

IN REHEARSALS

Adaptor & Director NATASHA RICKMAN

Set & Costume Design NEIL IRISH

Assistant Designer/Costume Supervisor ANETT BLACK

Lighting MARK DYMOCK

Sound MATT EATON

Movement Director SUNDEEP SAINI

Musical Director ALEX BEETSCHEN

Voice Coach STERRE MAIER

Fight Director PHILIP D’ORLÉANS

Production & Company Stage Manager HANNAH WALKER

Deputy Stage Manager LISA COCHRANE

Assistant Stage Manager EL WALDOCK

Richard II DANIEL BURKE 

Bagot/Queen/Salisbury SALLY CHENG

Duchess of York SARAH GOBRAN

Joan of Gaunt/Northumberland ANNE KAVANAGH

Duke of Aumerle LUKE LATCHMAN

Henri Bolingbroke LAURA MATTHEWS

Thomas Mowbray/Henry Percy/Green/Stephen Scroop EDDY PAYNE

Bushy/Bishop of Carlisle/Gardener 1/Duke of York/Nurse MATT PINCHES

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