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Thursday May 4, 2023
Richard III at the Rose
Here's the blurb: Following her acclaimed production of Richard II at Shakespeare's Globe, Adjoa Andoh now follows the rise of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, in this powerhouse Rose Original Production full of songs, dancing and a dash of murder.
Original score from Yeofi Andoh, inspired by traditional folk music, this staging sets kingdoms and castles amongst May Day parades and Morris dancing in a rural Cotswold setting. ... and actually I felt it did all that quite well.
I've just read a rather cutting review from Time Out, which makes some good points but in an unnecessarily unkind manner I felt. I mean there's no need to patronise Adjoa Andoh by being "kind" I suppose, but in summary, I'd say that some parts of the staging worked well and others less so. And while I don't much like the casting of female or black actors in pretty traditional white male roles "just for the sake of it", this version had a lot to say, realigning the prejudices aimed at Richard's deformity - not to mention that Andoh herself was brilliant in the role.
Sorry I missed her Richard II, though.
Posted by Christina at 8:31 PM. Category: Art and Culture
