Saw this version of 'Richard III' for primarily the cast, being a long-term admirer of both Ralph Fiennes and Vanessa Redgrave. Rupert Goold is also no stranger to Shakespeare and, being someone who loved his production of 'Macbeth' with Patrick Stewart and the 'The Hollow Crown' version of 'Richard II', there was no doubt that he would do Shakespeare's best known historical play at least well. A fine play it is too, not one of my favourites from the Bard, but lots of memorable scenes and lines and an even more memorable titular character.
This is not the best production of 'Richard III' seen. There is a preference for the Laurence Olivier, Ian McKellen and 'The Hollow Crown' versions and the condensed animated version (as part of 'Shakespeare: The Animated Tales') and the BBC Television Shakespeare one are well worth checking out too. This production is not great or flawless and is not one of the best that Goold has ever done, but there are a lot of admirable and well done things about it.
'Richard III' (2016) looks very atmospheric for one thing, not lavish or beautiful but it didn't need to be. It is minimalist but also suitably dark and unyielding, which suits the story's tone very well. It's very nicely shot too. Standing out on the visual front though is the dusky but also ominous lighting. Adam Cork's hauntingly spine-shivering music score is an ideal fit. The staging on the most part absorbs, with menacing and emotionally investable character interactions and detailed characterisation. It has tension and emotion, while the climax made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Most of the performances are extremely good. Redgrave is an authoritative and refreshingly soft spoken Margaret. Finbar Lynch is a calculating yet understated Buckingham. Susan Engel is an imperious Duchess of York. And Aislin McGuskin is a fiery and wounded Elizabeth.
Was mixed to positive on Fiennes. He definitely has the presence for the title role and is in full command of the text, which he delivers with intensity and his Richard is suitably menacing and unsettling. Against all those fine qualities though, there could have been more variety in the interpretation as well as more emotional variety.
A lot of the staging is very well done, but there are a few questionable touches. Especially that pointless and head-scratching touch with Redgrave with the doll and the equally unnecessary and tasteless rape. The casting weak link is Joanna Vanderham, who looks bewildered the whole time as Anne and some of her line delivery veers on histrionic.
In conclusion, many great things but falls short of overall greatness. 7/10.
