First Impressions: Richard III at The Old Vic
A few thoughts on Richard III before I write up my full review. I’m sure the title ’First Impressions’ is fairly self-explanatory. There will be plenty more coming up in the future.
Highlights:
Kevin Spacey – I can’t be more specific about what impressed me most as he gave such a solid performance. It’s a huge Shakespearean role and he masters it extremely well. His crab-like form and scuttling movements are superb, his voicework excellent and his surprising use of comedy very effective.
Richard (Spacey) and Elizabeth’s (Haydn Gwynne) scene – Wonderfully dynamic. The two strongest performers in the production are brought together in one of the most moving scenes in the play. Richard’s brutal nature versus Elizabeth’s concern and feeling for her daughter. If conscience really does prick away at Spacey’s Richard, it is surely this scene which sets it in motion for the rest of the production.
Piper’s set – Once opened up to reveal a white narrowing corridor of doors (all marked with an ‘X’ for those murdered) it is striking for its bleakness. The ‘winter’ of the play’s opening line is most definitely suggested here.
The Not-so-good:
The princes in the tower – I’m not of the advantage of having them played by women. While I could partly understand the decision, I didn’t really feel it had a positive effect. If anything, it just seemed a bit pointless and silly.
The tube/underground – The production seemed well suited to a vaguely modern setting, but placing the citizens on the tube with their papers seemed unnecessary.
I was impressed by the design of this production too. I thought that different scenes seemed to be set in different periods: the Clarence scene called to mind the 20s, the political shenanigans in the middle seemed utterly modern, yet the last act felt very medieval. I’ve seen no commentary on this though, so I’d love to know whether or not this was intended. Very subtle if it was.