credit: TimeOut http://m.au.timeout.
Reviewed by Ben Oxley
Richard III
Ensemble Theatre
from JUNE 24
DIRECTED BY:
MARK KILMURRY
CAST INCLUDES:
DANIELLE CARTER
PATRICK DICKSON
MATT EDGERTON
MARK KILMURRY
AMY MATHEWS
RUNNING TIME:
APPROX 100 MINUTES
PLUS INTERVAL
"Fitting memorial"
I read with interest this week of the real Richard III's monument being built near Leicester Cathedral. Festivities mark the occasion, and timely coincidence has enabled us to have a fresh look at "this son of York" here in Sydney.
From Mark's Kilmurry's blog:
9 August 2013
Starts work on play
"As I stand, sit or wait lurking at the back of the room to enter the world we have created (none of us actually ever leave the acting space but are dotted around the upstage area) I marvel and congratulate myself (just once) at having such a great and dedicated cast. It has been a joy in a job that could have been so hard to make work till now, fun and exciting."
"The cast are great. Patrick Dickson smooth as Buckingham, Amy Mathews fiery as Lady Anne, Danielle Carter guarded and knowing as Queen Elizabeth, Toni Scanlan earthy Duchess and dead right as Tyrell, and Matt Edgerton playing so many roles and yet giving them all their own truth and humanity... I am thrilled. As director."
Kilmurry's portrayal has elements of Gollum, especially in the conversation with himself. He physically negotiates the tables and chair seats to create the dimension of a conventional theatre. Twitchy, restless, conniving - all traits we expect from this usurper are there.
Buckingham and Assistant Director was Patrick Dickson, who gave us a wan political figure who backs the wrong horse. Pun intended.
The trio of ladies cover the female and male roles, other than Matt Edgerton's nimble work with Clarence/Rivers/King Edward/Ratcliff/Catesby. Danielle Carter is superb as Queen Elizabeth, most vitriolic in her encounter with Richard.
Amy Mathews gave Lady Anne tremendous vocal and physical presence, and turned up with a resolute Richmond at the finale. In between she paired with Carter as the Prince of York, and gave a halting vignette as the Second Murderer.
The experience of Toni Scanlan as Richard's mother, the Duchess of York, fearlessly pegging him for what he really is, which contrasted with a watchful Tyrell and a very amusing First Murderer.
Music appeared to be played from a tape player, quoting Walton's music from Olivier's film soundtrack of Richard III. The budget gave hints of royalty; carpet off-cut for the coronation, a toy crown and battens and broom handles for knives and swords.
The whole concept comes from Kilmurry's note in the program: "The idea of art being banished ... led me to think of a play being performed by players hidden away from their oppressors ...".
Lighting was very realistic, with touches of eery portent as Richard's fate was prophesied. Switching off the lights, turning off the music to check if there was a state official on the doorstep was disarming, particularly with Buckingham's final "The last was I that helped thee to the crown".
The play must go on, and you must 'go to' and see how this sextet of strolling players makes this classic work.
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