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Richard III
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Liam
Kaboli and Dennis Fox in Richard III.
Photo by Bob Goodfellow.
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The House of Lancaster has lost ruling
power to the House of York after intense fighting. Henry VI, a
Lancaster, is dead and his widow Margaret—a woman who has the keen
ability to prophesy the future—is under house arrest. The sickly Edward
IV is monarch. He and his second wife Elizabeth Woodville, a woman of
lesser stock, take their place in the royal palace. This son of York
has melted away a winter of discontent… or has he? Waiting in the wings
is restless Richard whose desire for power drives him to extremes to
remove anyone in his way.
Richard, having spread a rumor based on a prophecy regarding the letter
“G”, orchestrates the murder of his brother George in the Tower. With
that plan in motion, he pursues the now-widowed Lady Anne as she
covertly attempts to move her father-in-law’s body to the family crypt.
Though sworn enemies, Richard’s charm and (faux) penitence overwhelm
Anne. She consents to marry him. The following day King Edward
reconciles the factions within his extended family, during the course
of which he learns of George’s death. Richard and his right-hand man
Buckingham next strategize how to remove Edward’s sons, and rightful
heirs, from the line of ascension.
Roughly eight day pass before both Prince Edward and his brother arrive
in the city. The shrewd Richard, now Lord Protector, convinces his
young wards to go to the Tower for safety until coronation day. They
will not leave the Tower alive. Richard and his cronies use the
following day to secure allegiances and remove hindrances. Eventually
Richard dupes the Mayor who, in turn, convinces a majority of citizens
to beg Richard to take the crown. He does. Meanwhile, under the cover
of darkness, Lord Stanley sends messages to those in exile, including
his stepson Richmond, telling them that it is time to rise up and stop
Richard. Though slow in coming, they gather, as do the tides of change.
Buckingham flees after the murder of the two young princes is ordered.
Richard has his wife Anne killed. Abandoned by everyone including his
mother, Richard’s next mark is Queen Elizabeth Woodville. He needs to
marry her daughter Elizabeth to secure his rule against any uprising.
He fails.
Buckingham is caught and killed. The insurgency lands and nearly
surrounds Richard, pushing his mustered forces to the high ground of
Bosworth. The night before the final battle, ghosts of Richard’s
victims visit him as he slumbers in a drunken stupor. He is shaken by
prophesy for the first time. Over the course of two hours in battle,
many of Richard’s troops abandon him. He ultimately faces a
hand-to-hand fight against Richmond for his life. He loses.
-Scott Irelan
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