What this stunning Richard III performance teaches

Over the past couple of months, I have enjoyed watching the Royal Shakespeare Company’s two-parter Henry VI: Rebellion and Wars of the Roses.

These less frequently performed plays about the late medieval period in our history, were very thought-provoking in a world where power-struggles, war and acts of violence are sadly still the norm. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable aspects of this story for the audience, was seeing the rise of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, soon to become the infamous Richard III.

Richard is one of Shakespeare’s best-known baddies, and is played with great charisma by Arthur Hughes, whose Richard is young, ambitious and ruthless. The actor also happens to be disabled, as was the historical Richard, which brings an ‘in your face’ quality to the insults and prejudice dealt out by those around him. Hughes will be playing the same character in the RSC’s summer Richard III and it will be a performance not to miss.