“Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun of York."  With those famous, seemingly cheery words, Shakespeare launches us into the mind of one of the most fascinating and irresistible characters he ever created.  

Consider this line occurring only minutes later, “I am determined to prove a villain and hate the idle pleasures of these days."  The same person?  You bet.  Welcome to the two faces of Richard III – the most charming and likable villain you’ll ever hate.

On the one hand is Richard’s private face – the politician with a singular focus and dedication to getting what he wants most – the throne.  He is a driven, brilliant tactician and a committed player in his own plots and does all of this with a chilling moral detachment.  In a word, this is Richard the murderer.

On the other hand, there is Richard’s external face, Richard the performer.  This is the Richard he presents when he needs something, as he frequently does, to further his advancement to the throne.   This is Richard, the loving brother.  Richard, the repentant wooer.  Richard, the adoring uncle.  Richard, the trusted colleague.  But underneath, still Richard the murderer.

In this production, we explore what it means for Richard’s two sides to co-exist and occasionally collide in front of our eyes.  How convincing is Richard when he’s “acting."  Very, I think.  How committed is he to his ambitions, at any cost?  Completely.

~Richard Garner, Producing Artistic Director