Richard III by Adjoa Andoh ★★★☆☆

Set in Cotswolds, the home of actor and director Adjoa Andoh – this Richard III adaptation narrates the Shakespeare story with a little twist. Andoh describes her revision of this play as an exploration of the body pathologizing; questioning what happens when “the one punched down upon, punches up?”

The play starts with Richard of Gloucester, played by Adjoa Andoh on set alone and then surrounded by masked individuals as he foretells the story to come. Through manipulative means, Richard of Gloucester strategies to become the King of England by taking the life of anyone who stood in his way.

The motivations behind Andoh starring and directing in this play stems from her upbringing as a child in the Cotswolds; isolated and teased. These motivations flow into the portrayal of Richard III, by re-examining the language used by Shakespeare to explore race and what that means for people today.

As the only black person among a cast consisting mostly of white, middle-aged men, Adjoa’s casting supported the narrative of highlighting Richard III as an outsider and one who was misunderstood. Adjoa captures the audience with her skill and talent, embodying this character flawlessly. However, issues arise in Adjoa’s attempt to portray Richard III as anything other than a villain. A man who stopped at nothing to become King (killing his brothers and nephews) receives very little sympathy from the audience, though that is what was intended.

It is clear to say that there was a mismatch in direction and in script to present Richard III in a fresh light. The comedic edge of Richard III was refreshing to watch, adding to the dramatic feel of the character and leaving the audience in good cheer. The set design was simple, consisting of trees on stage, set to mirror those in the Cotswolds. Chris Davey’s lighting championed this simple set ,casting a pleasant  glow over the stage.

For those who are unfamiliar with the story of Richard III, the play fails to effectively communicate the key messages. Although the play intends to offer a fresh interpretation, the lack of direction means that the play struggles to achieve this vision. For example, the introduction of the young Duke of York was more bewildering than comedic.

The quality of actors within this play is noteworthy, performing at length with great passion and strength. However, the lack of consistency and clarity in production overshadows the strong performances.

You can watch Richard III at Rose theatre until 13 May.