Picture this:
A kingdom in which a woman is presenting as a man to hold on to power, where feudal law has returned due to global ecological collapse and the ravaging effects of the pandemic. A place where a war is brewing between neighbouring lands, and the politics of old and young wrestle with each other to maintain a fragile peace.
Can you imagine it? We bet you can… it’s not so different from our world.
Quandary Collective’s Richard II blends Mad Max: Fury Road with Game of Thrones to deliver a bloodthirsty outdoor exhibition. This fearless adaptation blends Shakespeare’s text with visceral movement and live electronic music, investigates deeply what it means to lead a country, the devastating effects of toxic masculinity, and why gender continually seems to matter in positions of power.
16+
This show contains bloody/sexual violence and nudity.
2 hours 45 minutes (with a 15-minute interval)
Richard II – Coco Maertens
Henry Bolingbroke – George Alexander
John of Gaunt/Bishop of Carlisle – Stephen Riddle
Thomas Mowbray/Lord Ross – Marc Zayat
Duke of Aumerle – Conor Mainwaring
Duke of York – Neil Hobbs
Northumberland – Danann McAleer
Bushey/Sir Stephen Scroop – Tom Cray
Director – Annie McKenzie
Stage Manager – Corinne Bills
Movement Director – Crystal Zillwood
Fight Choreography – Alex Payne
Musician – Kester Hynds
Set & Costume Design – Josephine Fauchier
Set Builder – Michael Tonkin-Jones
Lighting Designer – Katie Rutson
Marketing Manager – Dana Hudson
BRISTOL SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL @ EASTVILLE SWIMMING POOL – 18 to 21 August
THE OLD SCHOOL AMPHITHEATRE (DORSET) – 24 & 25 August
WATERPERRY GARDENS (OXFORDSHIRE) – 10 & 11 September
BRIGHTON OPEN AIR THEATRE – 15 to 18 September (with a matinee on the 18th)
LIVERPOOL – ST LUKE’S BOMBED OUT CHURCH – 21 & 22 September
STAGE @ THE DOCKS (HULL) – 24 & 25 September
LONDON RUN TBA