Richard II

Richard II description

Jonathan Bailey, who delighted TV audiences in the costume drama Bridgerton, is back in town, this time taking the lead role in Shakespeare’s wonderful play Richard II. A rising star on stage and screen, he’s tipped to bring a fresh new flavour to a play that has been thrilling audiences for 430 years.

The plot

The play examines the final two years of Richard II’s life, from 1398 to 1400, before he was finally deposed by Henry Bolingbroke, who became Henry IV shortly afterwards. It reveals Richard’s growing unpopularity and terrible leadership skills in contrast with those of Bolingbroke, whose taste for power was just as highly developed but tempered by a steady character. When Richard finally loses the crown his downfall raises serious questions about the negative effects of power, corruption and opportunism.

Bailey is set to ace the role of the incompetent king

Jonathan Bailey is no stranger to Shakespeare, having played a top class Cassio in Nicholas Hytner’s Othello and Edgar in the fantastic King Lear production that starred Ian McKellen. Bailey won an Olivier Award for his role as Jamie in Company, and also plays Fiyero in the Wicked movie.

Adam Best plays Sir John Bagot, Phoenix Di Sebastiani is Thomas Mowbray/Groom, and Seamus Dillane plays Lord Surrey. Vinnie Heaven is Aumerle and Jordan Kouamé plays Sir John Bushy/Harry Percy, with Gerard Monaco as Sir Stephen Scroop/Keepe and Christopher Osikanlu Colquhoun as the Earl of Northumberland. Royce Pierreson is Henry Bolingbroke, Olivia Popica Queen Isabel, Amanda Root Duchess of York/Green, Michael Simkins Duke of York, and George Taylor Fitzwater, with Stephan Boyce, Emma Bown and Martin Carroll as Understudies.

The Director is Nicholas Hytner and the Designer is Bob Crowley, with Lighting Design by Bruno Poet and Sound Design from Carolyn Downing. The Composer is Grant Olding, the Casting Director Robert Sterne and the Casting Associate Christopher Worrall. The Associate Director is Lily Dyble, the Associate Designer is Jaimie Todd and the Associate Sound Designer is Charlie Smith. Costume Supervision comes from Eleanor Dolan and the Props Supervisor is Lily Mollgaard.

Playing at The Bridge Theatre (venue info)