Richard III
William Shakespeare
The villainous and deformed Richard Duke of Gloucester plots murders and manipulates his way to the English throne. His reign is short-lived as his victims' ghosts haunt him before he is defeated at the Battle of Bosworth Field. The play is a psychological study of a stage villain who delights in his own wickedness and speaks directly to the audience. It is one of the most popular history plays featuring a charismatic but terrifying protagonist who dominates every scene.
Richard III: A charismatic, manipulative, and physically deformed usurper who ruthlessly eliminates anyone standing in his way. Lady Anne: A grieving widow who is famously and shockingly seduced by Richard over her husband’s corpse. Queen Elizabeth: The resilient widow of Edward IV who attempts to protect her sons from Richard’s deadly ambition.
First Performance: 1593, at Globe Theatre, London
A major success that helped define the Tudor myth; Richard became the definitive theatrical villain.
Original Actors: Richard Burbage