Richard II at Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival

Dates: (7/19/2019 - 8/4/2019 )

Theatre:

Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival

60 W. Olsen Rd, #3825, 60 W. Olsen Rd., #3825
Thousand Oaks,CA 91360-2700

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Phone: 8054933241

Tickets: $25.00

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Cast Creative Edit

Richard II was one of Shakespeares early successes. Written in 1595, its quarto publication sold out, resulting in two subsequent printings. The Elizabethans had a fascination with the story of the bad King, Richard. Richards belief in his own divine right of monarchy and his arbitrary and often vindictive actions led to his being deposed. In the late 16thC. there was a similar questioning of the extraordinary powers wielded by Queen Elizabeth I. A performance of the play commissioned prior to an attempted coup against the queen even raised questions about the play being anti-monarchy. Then, as now, political divisions, were drawn in the extremes: those out of power desperate to gain it; those in power struggling to maintain it. This production is presented more as an allegory rather than an historical representation. As with recent popular film and television depictions of medieval-type imaginary worlds, we are using the story of Richard Plantagenet to present a story of power going astray. The story is set in a world that may in some ways be similar to late 14thC England but is not. In 14thC. England, women had little power except through their married alliances. In Kingsmens imagined world of Richard II, women are presented in all aspects of society, as royal leaders, as soldiers, as advisors, as wives, as widows, as mothers, and as servants. They are often dismissed, ordered about, obeyed, loved. They are angry, vindictive, suffering, powerful, noble, loyal, human. In Shakespeares world, women were not allowed to perform on stage. As a result, in his plays, the number of womens roles are far fewer than mens roles. Were he writing today, I dont think that would be the case. Similarly, because Kingsmen is producing plays in 2019, we are committed to try to provide more opportunities for women on stage and behind the scenes. Ultimately, I find Richard II a compelling, beautifully poetic work that I hope you will find entertaining, thought-provoking, and moving.

Cast and Creative team for Richard II at Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival

Brett Elliott: Richard II

Hannah Tamminen: Bolingbroke

Jason Rennie: Northumberland

Jillian Doyle: Duchess of York

Kenny Toll: Aumerle

Lauren Zbylski: Queen Isabel

Michael Faulkner: Bagot

Ted Barton: Duke of York

Tom Ashworth: John of Gaunt

News About Richard II at Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival

BWW Feature: RICHARD II to close Kingsmen Shakespeare Company's Summer Season

July 15, 2019

For the first time in its history, Kingsmen Shakespeare Company will present Shakespeare's RICHARD II with the company's associate artistic director Brett Elliott in the title role and Los Angeles-based actor Hannah Tamminen playing Richard's cousin and adversary, Bolingbroke. Women will also take on many of the traditional male roles such as politicians and soldiers.

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