At the weekend I managed to catch up with Hiraeth’s
production of Richard III, which is currently playing Upstairs At The Gatehouse.
In the course of my work as a theatre reviewer I have seen quite a few
productions of Shakespeare’s plays, the most common for me being Othello – I’ve seen
lots of Othellos! For some reason Richard III had always escaped me, so aside
from a decent knowledge of history and having seen two movie versions – Olivier
and McKellen – I was looking forward to seeing what Hiraeth had done.
Both the acting and direction are sound, although there is
nothing overwhelmingly breathtaking about the production, although Nadia Malik’s
costume designs are worthy of note. Director Zoe Ford has set her Richard III
in a bleak, dystopian past – think Mad Max meets The Tribe – and while Malik’s
costumes are evidently created on a budget, there is uniformity and invention
there. Furs are juxtaposed against leather and Richard himself – David
McLaughlin – is strapped up to hint at remedial adjustment to a physical
abnormality. Of course the real abnormality is Richard’s homicidal ambition and
McLaughlin hammers this home in no uncertain terms.
Malik’s design also makes good use of hairpieces on both the
men and the women, helping create a better illusion when the small cast have to
double up. For a better idea of the look, check out photographer Adam Trigg,
who has taken extensive, excellent photographs of the production. Although the costumes
are neatly observed, Richard III is let down by a simple set that sadly fails
to occupy the Gatehouse stage. Also, I realise I am opening up myself to
ridicule from scholars but to echo some other audience members, I have no idea
what the moth motif is all about. I expect there is a reference in the text but
it’s never really made clear.
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