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In 2024, best-selling historical author Philippa Gregory will make her playwriting debut with Richard, My Richard. This innovative stage play is inspired by Shakespeare’s Richard III. It will bring to life one of history’s most enigmatic characters and give a passionate, tender portrait of him. The world premiere will be directed by Katie Posner and will be launching at the Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot from 8-30 March. A national press night will be held on 12 March and it will play from 12-27 April at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.
The story begins with an explosion and Richard III crashes from his lost tomb to meet the character who has ruined his reputation: History – the record keeper who doesn’t always have his mind on the task.
Richard believes he has risen from the grave to heaven with an unstained conscience, and the awkward task falls to History (sorry History)- to tell the Undead King that all is not as he imagines.
As Richard challenges, History admits he has his own doubts. He is often revered as the bearer of truth. Yet, his perspective is skewed. History overlooks people and stories.
Funny, poignant, and underpinned by the facts of the past, Richard’s secrets may have died with him, here he rises up to tell us the story, his story, History.
Philippa Gregory said, “I was inspired to write this play after having the privilege to attend the internment of Richard lll at Leicester. I wanted to write a play about the real Richard and the people – especially the influential women- around him. Then the most important character walked into the play – History – who in an absent-minded moment has given us such a dark picture of the king whose motto was loyalty and whose passion was chivalry.”
Richard, My Richard is produced by Shakespeare Playhouse North and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, in association with Daniel Schumann.
