Regal Richard with touch of Rigsby
A TICKLISH stunt marks the start of the Almeida’s new production of Richard III. They open it with a scene from the archaeological dig under a Leicester car park where the real King Richard’s bones were recently discovered.
The dramatic point? Marginal, but I suppose it reminds us that Richard was real, even if Shakespeare’s king is a hyped-up villain with a creepy penchant for vulnerable women.
Ralph Fiennes is rather brilliant in the title role. In the early scenes it could almost be the late Leonard Rossiter (Rigsby in Rising Damp) playing Richard, Mr Fiennes does so much widemouthed shrugging and self-deprecation.
We have just seen the archaeologists removed a bent spine from their dig. Now we see Richard’s bent spine showing through his black polo-neck shirt. Richard, at this point the mere Duke of Gloucester, flatters and joshes his fellow courtiers — even while plotting some of their murders.
When he becomes king at the end of the first half, this Richard slowly raises his arm and we perhaps think he is going to do a cheesy wave to his public.
But Mr Fiennes raises his hand further and betrays a clenched fist and a hardening expression on his face, from glee to deadly intent. It is a striking moment.
Director Rupert Goold has assembled a strong cast including Finbar Lynch as Buckingham, Aislin McGuckin as Queen Elizabeth and Susan Engel as a thoroughly regal Duchess of York. Oh, and Vanessa Redgrave as dotty Queen Margaret.
The sheep like behaviour of the privy councillors and the political-patronage games portrayed by Shakespeare seldom fail to ring topical bells. The Bishop of Ely goes along with Richard’s power games. Modern prelates are just as politically pliable.
In the closing moments, Richmond (Tom Canton) expresses a hope for stability – just as we may soon hear in Westminster.
Mr Fiennes is so good, it may seem a pity that the Almeida is only a small theatre, but the show is going to be broadcast live to cinemas on July 21.