In a radical departure from their recent series of Shakespearean comedies, the Rococo Players are staging one of the bard's most violent and brutal plays

The Tragedy of King Richard III

Tuesday, 12-Saturday, July 16 2011 at 7.30pm

The Rococo Garden, Painswick

In a radical departure from their recent series of Shakespearean comedies, the Rococo Players are this year staging one of the bard’s most violent and brutal plays, The Tragedy of King Richard III.

In the picturesque, alfresco setting of the Rococo Garden, Painswick, the Rococo Players present a tale of murder, greed and jealousy, based on the events at the end of the Wars of the Roses.

Richard III tells the story of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, a disfigured but endlessly charismatic schemer and brother of the King at the start of the play. He is ruthlessly ambitious and plots and murders his way to the throne, with the help of Buckingham, his loyal accomplice.

Rococo’s young director Joe Hackett brings his own intelligent and original stamp to this classic Shakespeare play and the production promises to amuse, enthral and entertain, as we witness Richard’s rapid ascension and his subsequent decline and eventual destruction, with piercing wit and horrifying treachery.

Not only is Joe directing the production but he has been forced to take centre stage too and take over the role of the murderous King Richard after the original actor, Paul Pieterse, was rushed to hospital for emergency heart surgery. Joe who has acted in many previous Rococo productions said “ It was a bit of a shock. It was too late to find another actor to play Richard, so I was rather forced to step into the breach – willingly, of course! Learning the lines very quickly proved a bit of a challenge but the show must go on! Thankfully Paul is recovering well and we’re hoping to have him back in the company for our next production.”

THE TRAGEDY OF KING RICHARD III

Tuesday, 12-Saturday, July 16 2011 at 7.30pm

The Rococo Garden, Painswick

Gardens open at 6pm for picnics on the lawn

Tickets: �15 covered seating; �10 uncovered own seating, available online at www.rococoplayers.co.uk or email trpprod@live.co.uk

Enquiries: 07518 574711