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Richard III by Sledgehammer Theatre 
It's good to be the king, but Richard has to be bad in order to gain the coveted crown. Very, very bad. Within his own family, the House of York, he will kill his wife, his brothers, his young nephews, and numerous cousins -- anyone who might pose a threat to his rule. The House of York won the War of the Roses over the House of Lancaster to take control of England, but the price the family pays for their short-lived victory will be severe.
But is that ruthless Richard's fault, or the result of vengeful Queen Margaret's curse? Margaret (Priscilla Allen) had lost her husband, King Henry VI, in the power struggle between York and Lancaster. Now Margaret, as head of the exiled Lancaster clan, predicts York's bloody destruction, first at the hands of Richard (Lou Seitchik), and followed by Richard's own death. Margaret's ominous curses, laid upon all of the major players, was truly the most compelling scene of the show as the charismatic Priscilla Allen towered over each of her cowering victims, divining their doom, and making them all feel extremely uncomfortable. Even Richard squirmed at her presence, perhaps knowing in his dark heart that her words would prove true. Priscilla is surrounded by some of San Diego's brightest acting talents including Kanani Titchen as the ill-fated Lady Anne. With only a few lines of dialogue, Kanani gives a remarkably powerful performance. Confused and deceived by Richard's sly banter, instead of taking the opportunity to kill Richard, she ends up marrying the man responsible for the death of both her husband and her father-in-law (Henry VI). Soon, however, she comes to realize just how evil Richard actually is. But again she fails to act, and can only look on in fear and despair as she sees the results of her marriage unfold before her horrified, yet helpless, eyes. Sledgehammer regular Jessa Watson impresses yet again, this time as Queen Elizabeth, husband to the dying King Edward IV, sister-in-law to Richard III, and mother of two sons who would succeed their dying father. With eyes that are somehow devilish and angelic at the same time, Jessa is a riot while comforting her husband on his deathbed via video linkup. (Video linkup in fifteenth-century England? I'll get to that soon!) Later she stars in one of the most gripping scenes where Richard confronts her shortly after having her two sons executed in the Tower of London, and then practically seduces/rapes her as he demands her daughter Elizabeth in marriage (to replace the unfortunate Lady Anne). Another great scene and great actor features the eloquent Ruff Yeager as Duke of Clarence facing his execution in the Tower. A brother of Richard, and therefore potential political threat, Richard sends two hit men up to eliminate Clarence. What follows is a darkly hilarious and poignant scene as Clarence attempts to convince the killers to spare his life through logical reasoning, warnings that they might endanger their own lives by killing him, and lots of begging. Amber Wolfe and Mark Petrich provide most of the comic relief in the show as the death-dealing duo who discharge their duties with a cool callousness. There were other excellent performances as well. Julie Jacobs, as the Duchess of Buckingham, oozes with confidence as she backs Richard's rise to power. That is, until he goes too far and she gets squeamish. Rather than risk her betrayal, Richard gives the word, and Buckingham suddenly finds herself being carried off by his henchman, her chilling screams echoing down the hallway will not stave off her unenviable fate. Elsewhere, and on a slightly more amusing note, Laura Lee Juliano makes for a great Prince Edward portrayed as a skateboarder dude. And then, of course, there is the title character played by Lou Seitchik. There were flashes of brilliance, such as in his wicked wooing of Lady Anne and his trembling at the presence of Queen Margaret, but most of the time he seemed to be merely rushing through his lines, missing opportunities to create a character of greater depth and depravity. But now what's all this with video linkups and skateboards in a tale based five hundred years ago? This is Director Kirsten Brandt taking a sledgehammer to Shakespeare and creating something new, different, and definitely worth seeing. During last year's infamous presidential election, she found herself struck by all of the spin doctors among the media and the politicians, all trying to twist the facts around to best suit their positions. Though Richard III makes great use of assassination as a tool for political gain, he is also a master of spin control. Richard's carefully chosen words keep the opposition off balance, confused, and divided until it is too late. By tossing in a few modern touches, Kirsten made Richard III seem a bit more like our contemporary politicians, and more relevant to our own age. The most obvious modern additions were the video monitors which were very well used whether it was having the dying King Edward IV (Todd Blakesley) saying his last words to his family, presenting events as breaking news CNN-style by News Anchor Olivia Blaire (Lisel Gorell), or live speeches by Richard III filmed on the spot by April Wahlin. Scenic Designer Anthony Gutowski's impressive set's best feature was the Tower of London. Through a plexiglass window we see into the prison cell, and there witness a few of Richard's dastardly executions for which he is so renowned. Lighting Designer David Lee Cuthbert did a tremendous job of setting the right moods, most of the moods, of course, being pretty grim. Rob Hopper ~ Cast ~
Queen Margaret: Priscilla Allen King Edward IV: Todd Blakesley Sir Brakenbury/Lord Mayor/Sir Brandon: Ken Bryant Duchess of York: Robin Christ News Anchor: David Lee Cuthbert News Anchor: Lisel Gorell Madam Ratcliff: Janet Hayatshahi Duchess of Buckingham: Julie Jacobs Lady Grey/Prince Edward/Capt. Blount: Laura Lee Juliano Lord Hastings/Sir Herbert: Gerard Maxwell Earl Rivers/Henry, Earl of Richmond: Walter Murray Deighton/Bishop of Ely/Lord Surrey/Plastic Surgeon: Mark Petrich Richard III: Lou Seitchik Sir Catesby: Michael Severance Richard, Duke of York: Anton Swain-Gil Lady Anne: Kanani Titchen Queen Elizabeth: Jessa Watson Forrest/Duchess Norfolk/Plastic Surgeon: Amber Wolfe Lord Stanley: Edward R. Wylie Duke of Clarence/Cardinal/Earl of Oxford: Ruff Yeager Director: Kirsten Brandt Dramaturge: Elizabeth O'Hara Yager Assistant Director: Mark Stephan Scenic Design: Anthony Gutowski Lighting Design: David Lee Cuthbert Costume Design: Mary Larson Sound Design: Paul Peterson Video Design: Aaron McFarland Stage Manager: Mary Burt Godwin On Stage Video Operator: April Wahlin |
