PISCATAWAY — King Richard III is one of the most diabolical, deplorable and ruthless villains created by William Shakespeare – or is he?
Audiences can decide for themselves, as Circle Players stages a new production of Shakespeare's historical drama “Richard III,” beginning this weekend. Directed by Jessica Darrow Sherman of Summit, the show promises to give audiences a Richard they can understand and perhaps even feel sorry for, even if in the end they do not like him.
The show has been performed many times, including cinematic adaptations by august actors such as Laurence Olivier in 1955, and Ian McKellan in 1995. But while other productions may focus on Richard's machinations and royal ambitions, Sherman sees the heart of his story primarily in the lives of the women Richard seduces, wrongs and betrays along the way.
“I wanted to streamline that and get down to the man and the relationship he has with the four women,” said Sherman.
Still, given the age of the play – scholars believe Shakespeare wrote “Richard III” in 1591 – connection may seem like a tall order. Much of the play is written in blank verse, and the dialogue contains words that at times may sound unfamiliar to the modern ear.
“The language is the main hurdle,” said Sherman. “It's a hurdle for the audience, and it's a hurdle for the actors. It's a little like walking around in another language.”
But because Shakespeare's language is at least as much of a draw as the stories themselves, don't look for that to change. There are ways to connect with audiences without compromising the writing. This “Richard III” has a contemporary setting, complete with contemporary clothing and accessories. The custom of speech may sound odd to the ear, but the people on stage wouldn't stand out if you met them on the street or in the office.
“I always want to bring my productions that I do of Shakespeare's plays to the present day,” said Sherman. “When you see people walking around and texting one another with their cell phones, you think, 'Yeah, I do that.' I want to take all the walls down so the audience can connect with these characters.”
Academics debate the exact order his plays were written, but generally agree that Shakespeare began with a tetralogy of plays that dramatize the Wars of the Roses, the civil war over the throne of England that ran from 1455-1485. And as she read through the plays about King Henry VI, Sherman — a self-described "Shakespeare nerd" — saw one figure emerging clearly as a key player.
“They all point to Richard III as a play and as a man,” said Sherman. “You're greeted with a very broken politician with a lot of anger.”
This personal interest soon found new fuel that ultimately led to the upcoming production. Tradition long had held that after he died at Bosworth Field, Richard was buried at Greyfriars Friary in Leicester. In September 2012, archaeologists exhumed a skeleton from beneath a parking lot on that site, that seemed like a match for the legendary king. By February, it was official: Archaeologists had found Richard's mortal remains.
“All the sudden, this man who was ruling, fighting and dying in the 1400s was suddenly very real,” said Sherman, who soon began imagining how to stage Shakespeare's play.
The works of William Shakespeare are a regular feature at Circle Players. The past two years have featured a performance of “Romeo and Juliet” in 2014 and a staged reading of “Macbeth” in 2015. Sherman herself has directed productions there of “As You Like It” in 2011 and “Hamlet” in 2012.
Performances of “Richard III” will take place at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 3 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 23-Oct. 9. Performances are Sept. 23 and 24, and Oct. 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9. Audience members are invited to join the cast in a wine-and-cheese reception in the theater lobby following the opening night performance. Additionally there will be a special talkback with the cast following the Oct. 2 performance.
Circle Players is located at 416 Victoria Ave., Piscataway. Due to the unique layout of this theater-in-the-round, latecomers cannot be seated after the performance has started. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the show opens.
For reservations, call (732) 968-7555, or buy tickets online at www.circleplayers.org. Tickets cost $18 for adults and $17 for students and seniors. Credit cards may not be used at the box office, but will be accepted online.
“Richard III” is produced by Ed Faver of Roselle. The stage manager is Jennifer Robinson of Branchburg.
Appearing in the cast are:
Nils Swanson of North Brunswick as Richard III,
Tess Ammerman of Montclair as Anne,
J.D. Robinson of Branchburg as Clarence, Ratcliff and Brakenbury,
Alicia Harabin of Somerville as Elizabeth,
Steven Mennella of Dunellen as Rivers and the Lord Mayor,
Heidi Carter Hart of Maplewood as Margaret,
David Learn of New Brunswick as Catesby,
Erik Hall of Piscataway as Edward and Richmond,
Donne Petito of Hopewell as Cecily,
Ed Faver of Roselle as Hastings, Ely and Tyrell,
John P. Dowgin of Spotswood as Buckingham,
Ruth Learn of New Brunswick as Young Richard, and
Jacob Hall of Piscataway as Young Edward.
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