Jonas David Grey as Richard II and Patrick Kilpatrick as Henry Bollingbroke. Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography, LLC.
The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s production of Shakespeare’s Richard II is such a terrific success that I was astonished to learn that it is the first professional production of the play in Maryland in over two hundred years. CSC handled the material so deftly that I hope they have broken whatever curse that had scared away generations of other theatre companies.
The central puzzle of Richard II lies in the title character’s surprising willingness to relinquish the throne to Henry Bollingbroke, who then becomes Henry IV. The historical Henry deposed his cousin Richard by force, but in Shakespeare’s day, the reigning Tudor monarchs preferred a white-washed version of history in which Henry was blameless for his own rise to power and for Richard’s fall.
The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s production of Richard II should not be missed because of its historical significance and for its extraordinary production value.
Early in the play, Richard banishes Henry, who is the only son of the Duke of Lancaster. When the old Duke dies, Richard seizes the Duke’s lands in order to finance a war in Ireland. While Richard is away in Ireland, Henry returns from exile prematurely to claim his father’s lands and title by right of inheritance. He rallies the support of both the nobility and the commoners throughout England, but he consistently denies any intent to depose Richard. When the two finally meet, Richard unexpectedly abdicates and practically hands the crown over the Henry. Richard is imprisoned and later murdered, against Henry’s wishes, by an over-eager courtier.
Jonas David Gray gives a tour de force performance as Richard. He explores the many conflicting aspects of Richard character with fascinating ease, always accessible to the audience even if his core remains a mystery. In the climactic confrontation with Henry, Gray’s Richard is defiant in refusing Henry’s reasonable demands, almost as if Richard were reacting to the historical Henry instead of the whitewashed, theatrical version.
Patrick Kilpatrick is an impressive Henry, imbuing him with just enough heroism to keep the audience unsure as to who the real hero of this story is. Other standout male performers include Frank B. Moorman as the old Duke, John of Gaunt, who delivers his well-known “this sceptered isle” speech while leaning heavily on the cane held with shaking hands, and Michael P. Sullivan as the old Duke’s brother, Edmund Langley, who has perhaps the strongest sense of right and wrong of any character in the play.
It is exceedingly difficult to achieve a breakout performance as a female character in one of Shakespeare’s history plays, but Karina Hilleard did so as the Duchess of York. Her English accent was surprisingly low class, but it added to the endearing humor in the scene where she pleads for the life of her son, unaware that Henry has already pardoned him. Daniel Flint also displayed an impressive range as the belligerent Thomas Mowbray, as the foppish servant Bagot, as the noble Sir Stephen Scroop and the murderous Sir Pierce of Exton.
The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s production of Richard II should not be missed because of its historical significance and for its extraordinary production value.
Running Time: Approximately 2 ½ hours with one 15-minute intermission.
Richard II runs through November 9, 2014 at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, 7 South Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. For tickets call 410-244-8570 or click here.
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