RICHARD III by Shakespeare (in German). Basel Theatre. Till June 19th, 2010.

This is a modern fast-moving performance, using a cut text which runs for only 1 ¾ hours.  The Director, Michael Simon, has reduced the cast from the usual 40 something down to six: Richard III, Buckingham and the four royal ladies, Lady Anne, Duchess of York, and the Queens Elizabeth and Margaret.

 I enjoyed the director's interpretation, which made clear the blood thirsty nature of Richard III’s murderous rule, killing kings, cousins and princes without qualm, but he nonetheless incorporated touches of irony in performance. This has the effect of lifting the play and giving the audience some respite from the tragic losses experienced by the women. There are some incongruous moments, such as when the cast suddenly stops to dance and sing ‘Because the world is round’. Funnily, it somehow worked, but I wasn’t sure the cast were convinced by what they were doing at this point.

The staging is simple, stunning and effective, with use of huge geometric shapes, which the actors work with and around.

Vincent Leittesdorf plays Richard III. He gives a very good performance, sliding easily between being the charmer that draws his unwitting bait towards him and the cold-blooded villain destroying those in his way. Leittesdorf adds another colour to Richard III’s chameleon-like behaviour.

Lady Anne is played by Inga Eickenmeier (Seen in Taking Care of Baby). She is a marvellous young actress, whose portrayal of Lady Anne as frivolous and naïve lends credibility to her eventual union with Richard III, which in turn leads to her downfall. In fact, all the female parts are really well done.

The play was criticized by the press for the Director’s interpretation; partly for the drastic extent it cut the original. But I felt it’s an original take on Richard III, bringing across the themes of the play with a momentum that keeps you riveted.

It requires a good command of German, or at least a good knowledge of the play in English. Make sure you buy the programme and read the Royal family tree before the play starts – there are many references to those who doesn’t appear because they’ve been murdered, and this helps understand the connections.

Next Performance 26^th March, then 4 times in April, closing 19^th June

www.theater-basel.ch