Richard III, St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden

Set in and around the grounds of the glorious St Paul’s Church which overlooks Covent Garden Market, Iris Theatre returns with their open-air promenade production of Richard III.

The Story...

In the aftermath of the War of the Roses, countless noblemen lay dead and England’s royal family is ripped apart. Richard of York, deformed in mind and body, sets about a single-minded ascent of the throne, marrying and disposing of wives, murdering children and turning friends against one another. “I am determin’d to prove a villain,” Shakespeare’s Richard asserts, “...I am myself, alone.”

The Production...

The grassy gardens and stone steps of St Paul’s make for a perfect setting— for both battlefields, throne rooms and even the Tower of London. David Hywel Baynes returns to the role of Richard after last year’s production. He has worked with Iris Theatre several times, in productions including Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and their five-star Romeo and Juliet in 2009. Laura Wickham, who played Juliet to in this acclaimed production is back too as Elizabeth and Anne-Marie Piazza is the fiery Anne Neville.

Rain and storm only adds to the production’s drama, turning their Game of Thrones inspired set into a dark dystopian realm. There are some beautiful handmade costumes— and 3 gallons of stage blood. Audiences are seated on benches, through which the animal-like Richard stalks and soliloquises. This looks to be a particularly bloody and exhilarating version of the play. 

The Background...

Iris Theatre has gone from strength to strength since it was founded in 2007. The producers note that as well as popularity amongst school group audiences, there is a huge variety in the people who come to watch their shows, which range from Shakepeare histories to children’s shows (Alice in Wonderland.) But even when actors are contending with extreme weather, noise from nearby Covent Garden or spontaneous concerts, David Hywel Banes insists, “That’s a time when you know the audience is really with you. You’re looking round and everyone’s still smiling.”

This summer is the 530th anniversary of King Richard III’s coronation, and the play will be staged to very different effect with Martin Freeman starring in the nearby Trafalgar Studios. Iris Theatre's inventive staging offers a unique and more intimate take on the  Shakespeare we all love to hate.