Our thanks to Jonathan Dodd for this cultural review. Ed
I have to confess that I’ve never seen Richard ll before, so I came to this production by the esteemed theatre company Scena Mundi as part of this year’s Ventnor Fringe Festival without prior expectations or knowledge.
The pews had been moved to face each other at the sides of the church, leaving the whole of the nave open, rather like the House of Commons, and the dark interior space, predominantly stone and wooden vaulted ceiling, immediately gave the atmosphere a sense of the historic past, and a feeling that events of a great and significant nature were to be played out in front of us.
The rivalries and faultlines started to become clear
Our first sight of the players was a stately paced dance through and round the space, set to music of the time, before the King, Richard ll, detached himself to put on his crown and royal robe before settling on his throne, with all the other participants facing him. Thus was the scene set for one of Shakespeare’s great historical plays.
From the start we, the audience, felt ourselves to be in good hands as the rivalries and faultlines started to become clear and the action moved inexorably towards the finale. The play revolves around great themes, of loyalty and ambition, and the origins and limits of power. It uncomfortably made us all think about how far duly-constituted leaders should be followed, and what should be done if they overstep the limits and restraints of their power.
They just wanted him to rule better
This play has neither heroes nor villains. Richard himself is written as a highly complex character, who would be unlikely to have gained the throne by merit alone, and who believed, as did everyone at the time, that he was there by divine right. He wasn’t the best manager, and he made bad decisions. Nobody wanted to challenge his right to rule, they just wanted him to rule better. This is a theme being played out in many countries and companies all round the modern world. It’s not a new theme, but it’s immensely relevant.
Pip Brignall portrayed Richard with great sympathy and complexity, showing his capriciousness and bad judgement, but at the same time he was likeable and a believable king, who gained in humanity and stature as he lost his power and purpose. Opposing him was Martin Prest as the young Bolingbroke, a much more straightforward man of action and principle. The scenes between them showed men faced with impossible decisions, trying to find a right way forward.
Complex characters being brought to vivid life
Graham Pountney played John of Gaunt with great dignity as the conscience of the play, trying to undo or lessen the damage done, vainly warning Richard of the consequences of his actions. Rupert Bates played the Duke of York, stuck in the middle and fighting a losing battle between honour and practicality. These were all living breathing complex characters being brought to vivid life. All the other players were excellent too.
Above all the action and the plotting, the words of Shakespeare soared, and were beautifully spoken and acted throughout the production. So many phrases that are part of our lives and memories came to original life here. ‘This sceptered isle’, ‘the hollow crown’, and many others, all precisely within the context of the person and the moment they were living through.
Struggling with the realities of the time and their place in it
This production was a triumph, and there was a standing ovation. It took the themes of the play and laid them out with clarity and dignity, and watched each of the players struggling with the realities of the time and their place in it.
The whole company, from director to smallest part, were excellent, and I heartily recommend that you get to Ventnor and watch it. You won’t be sorry.
I’ll be going to see Marlowe’s Edward ll tonight, same company, same venue, and a very different play. I can’t wait. I’ll review it tomorrow.
I would also recommend the fruit cake served by the volunteers. Thanks to them as well.
