THEATRE REVIEWS

A story of a scheming scoundrel, not a nice man, known as Richard who uses people to get what he wants. This is one of a trilogy of plays in the Wars of the Roses series entitled Richard III performed by Northern Broadsides and written by William Shakespeare. If you have the stamina to witness the set of plays you will have learnt a lot of history and been very well entertained whilst doing so, for these are a very talented group of actors who, like many others, are not without their individual faults, but these are far outweighed by the whole. So enjoy and be entertained.

These players will sing, play musical instruments, dance and mould their brand of theatre into a wonderful montage to give you the speeches of this playwright. The battle scene has everything except blood as opposing armies march, square up and do battle. Minimum scenery and props are all that is needed to portray the atmosphere for each scene. Barrie Rutter, as always, directs magnificently.

Over enthusiasm runs away with some of the actors as they deliver their speeches too fast to the detriment of clear diction, but this can be forgiven for what they are giving the audience. Conrad Nelson gives us Richard, portrayed deformed, but highly manipulative and not to be trusted. He is supported by a very well disciplined body of actors who take on many parts and give of their best.

The programme has its faults in half light and to those in the audience of advancing years who may have failing eyesight — printing black type on grey does not help. Maybe individual photographs of the players would help to sort them out from the traditional group photograph.

Now those costumes; the ladies white royal coats were magnificent, and the men's suits gave them the air that they needed to portray authority. The wardrobe department needs congratulations and Jessica Worrall for the design

If you have not seen this set of plays Henry VI, Edward IV and Richard III make an effort for this audience appreciated what had gone before them when the cast took their bows. Great evening at the theatre. © BA

“Wars of the Roses” is in repertory at the Round in Scarborough from the 1st June to the 10th of June, 2006. This is a No Smoking theatre.