William Shakespeare’s Play: Richard III

Playwright: William Shakespeare
Director: Guy Roberts
Group: Prague Shakespeare Company, Czech Republic
Language: English
Duration: 2 hrs 50 mins

The Play
Shakespeare’s conclusion to his epic Wars of the Roses chronicles, Richard III is a riveting portrayal of the politics of power, both personal and political, at their most devious and bloody. Deformed in body and spirit, this depraved madman is obsessed with becoming King of England. Does he fall? Of course, but not before he has taken all of us on his wickedly entertaining ride. Jealous and crippled, Richard of Gloucester murders his brothers, nephews, and any opposition to become King Richard III. In the end, Henry of Richmond raises an army, kills Richard in battle, and becomes King Henry VII.

Director’s Note
Like Richard eating away at anyone in his path, the play Richard III gnaws on our global consciousness. It is a story that plays out time and time again, and, if anything, has become even more relevant now, over four hundred years after it was written, with corrupt leaders doing absolutely anything to achieve and maintain power. I am excited to present a new production of this timely play supported by the exciting and dynamic multi-national artists we have assembled for this special event. PSC is continental Europe’s only professional English-language Shakespeare company, employing artists from across Europe, Asia and North America, by bringing together a group of artists from many different cultural sensibilities. We are able to come together, united by the words of William Shakespeare, as we explore the deep resonances this play brings out concerning national identity, politicians, corruption, honor, duty and the extreme measures, people – both good and bad, will push themselves to in their ambitious climb to the heights of power.

The Director
Guy Roberts is the Founding Artistic Director of Prague Shakespeare Company (PSC). Guy won the 2018 Best Actor Houston Theatre Award for his performance of the Poet in An Iliad. Guy has been awarded the TG Masaryk Medal of Honor from the Masaryk Democratic Movement in recognition for his work promoting arts and artistic freedom, and the inaugural Sidney Berger Award from the Shakespeare Theatre Association in recognition of his outstanding talent and dedication to the works of William Shakespeare. His award-winning work as actor, director and producer has been seen in over 200 productions in the US, Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands, India, Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, Poland, Qatar and Egypt and has been honored with multiple awards and over 100 US theatre award-nominations for Best Actor, Director and Production.

The Playwright
William Shakespeare was a renowned English poet, playwright, and actor born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare was a prolific writer during the Elizabethan and Jacobean ages of British theatre (sometimes called the English Renaissance or the Early Modern Period). Shakespeare’s works include 38 plays, 2 narrative poems, 154 sonnets, and a variety of other poems.

The Group
Based in Prague, Czech Republic, the award-winning Prague Shakespeare Company presents professional theatre productions, workshops, and other theatrical events of the highest quality, conducted primarily in English by a multinational ensemble of professional theatre artists, with an emphasis on the plays of William Shakespeare. Celebrating its 12th year, PSC has entertained, enriched, enlightened and inspired students and audiences not only in the Czech Republic but in India, United States, Hungary, France, Egypt, Qatar, Netherlands and elsewhere around the world.

Cast & Credits
Richard Duke of Gloucester/King Richard III Guy Roberts
Queen Elizabeth Jessica Boone/Lady Anne Deputy High Commissioner Jan Thompson, OBE
Edward IV Lane Davies
Buckingham Scott Bellefeuille
Richmond/Henry VII Taylor Napier
Clarence/Catesby Jeff Smith
Margaret Abigail Rice
Duchess of York Julie Josephson
Hastings/Lord Chamberlain John Poston
Archbishop Robert Orr
Lord Rivers Dan Brown
Lord Grey Stanislav Callas
Lord Stanley Bob Boudreaux
Tyrrel Vanessa Gendron
Ratcliffe Grant Podelco
Sir Robert Brackenbury/Keeper of the tower David Fisher
Princess Elizabeth Natassia Bustamente
Prince Edward Julian Bellefueille

Light Designer Premysl Janda
Costume Designer Eva Bellefeuille
Hair & Make-up Designer Eva Nyklickova
Stage Manager Eric Sammons
Assistant Stage Manager Kris Ayers

Playwright William Shakespeare
Director Guy Roberts

Contacts
Director, Prague Shakespeare Company
U Havlickovych Sadu 1531/11, Prague 2,
Czech Republic- 120000
M: +420 776469159
E: eric@pragueshakespeare.org