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A man looks dumbfounded in a yellow paper crown.
A man looks dumbfounded in a yellow paper crown.

The Tragedy of King Richard the Second

By William Shakespeare, Directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins

Event details

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10 Dec 2018 — 2 Feb 2019

King. The male ruler of an independent state; one who inherits the position by right of birth.

King of the castle. A children’s game in which each child attempts to stand alone on a mound, or sandcastle, by pushing other children off it.

Olivier Award-winner Simon Russell Beale takes the title role in Shakespeare’s play about the limits of power.

King Richard II is arrogant, reckless and vain. His weak leadership sends his kingdom into disarray and his court into uproar. Disinherited and exiled from the kingdom, the ambitious Bolingbroke challenges the throne and the king’s divine right to rule.

This visceral new production is directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins, whose previous productions include Little Revolution at the Almeida, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Young Vic and Absolute Hell at the National Theatre.

Cast features Simon Russell Beale, Leo Bill, Martins Imhangbe, Natalie Klamar, John Mackay, Joseph Mydell, Saskia Reeves and Robin Weaver.

The Tragedy of King Richard the Second was broadcast live  to cinemas in the UK and internationally, in partnership with National Theatre Live on Tuesday 15 January 2019.

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CAST & CREATIVES

Direction Joe Hill-Gibbins
Design Ultz
Associate Designer Charlotte Espiner
Light James Farncombe
Sound Peter Rice
Dramaturg Jeff James
Casting Ginny Schiller CDG
Resident Director Lucy Wray
Costume Supervision Claire Wardroper

Cast 
Simon Russell Beale
Leo Bill
Martins Imhangbe
Natalie Klamar
John Mackay
Joseph Mydell
Saskia Reeves
Robin Weaver