Review: All the World’s a Grave in the Druid ‘Richard III’

I found Druid's production to be original and haunting, and I thought Monaghan was brilliant.

The hyperbole of Richard III's depiction is characterized by his use of two canes. It is graphic, compelling and entertaining, but not historical. Richard III had scoliosis which did not require the use of canes. He was capable of battling vigorously though unsuccessfully at Bosworth field. Richard III is a convenient portmanteau for stories about flawed personalities, accuracy take the hind most. .

The photo here shows R3 using 2 canes. In the legendary 1984 RSC production--which I saw twice in one week while on vacation-- the great Antony Sher used two crutches, attached at each wrist so as he walked or ran on stage, he could lift himself upwards at different angles. And with two triangular strips of black cloth hanging from his extended arms, his physical movement looked like a human spider as he propelled himself around the Barbican stage with extraordinary flexibility. His performances was based on the phrase, " the bottled spider," which is what Richard is called at one point in the play. That performance was a gift from the theatrical Gods and from Sir Antony; for me, it remains to this day unforgettable. I eagerly await Aaron Monaghan and the Druids tomorrow night.

Not that it matters but Richard’s language was Abraham Lincoln’s favorite speeches even though he feared he was himself Macbeth, the king who created a civil war that killed hundreds of thousands while at the same time being married to a vindictive shrew. His favorite Macbeth actor: JW Booth

Saw it Sunday afternoon- and (mostly) loved this production. Visually stunning and haunting, and the actor playing the title role is a real force of nature. Loved the little comic bits among the blood and gore (one example, holding a prayer book upside down at first, when Richard is trying to convince everyone he's pious.) I was a little lost with some of the secondary characters, some of whom weren't quite as striking, perhaps, but its a minor complaint. Most of all, so many parallels in this play that I couldn't help but notice, to another self-involved and toxic 'leader' .... (you can fill in the blanks, there's alot of them!)

The Druid Shakespeare plays were so extraordinary that initially, Richard III threatened to be disappointing. By its conclusion, I did not feel that way at all. The work of this company is so wonderful that anything it does is worth seeing.

This could have been an opportunity for the Druid to cast a disabled actor in this role.

It's reviews like this, even with its caveats, that makes one want to hop a plane to NYC.

Really want to see this production. However, I must remind the reviewer that Anthony Sher played Richard using two aluminum canes in London way back in 1984.