It has been a long time since Dublin saw a professional production of Shakespeare's Richard III, the last one apparently being at the Gate Theatre in 1935. Now the Theatreworks company is presenting it at the Samuel Beckett, in a production worth waiting for.
It begins with a coronation and thrilling, martial music, and we are soon into the main business as Richard of Gloucester opens his account with a famous soliloquy. He is crippled from birth and hates all others with an intensity that can only be based on self-hatred. His sight is set on the throne and he sets out on a path of pitiless murder and assassination, an early serial killer. The throne achieved, it remains to make it safe; more killing. His tyranny eventually leads to civil war, and he dies on Bosworth Field, offering his kingdom for a horse. His chief antagonist, Richmond, succeeds him, and the play ends with a promise of peace.
It may seem a backhanded compliment to say that, in the key role of Richard, the always-reliable Denis Conway exceeded all my expectations of him. It is not so intended. He scuttles around the vast stage like a malevolent crab, a physical presence of force and athleticism. All his words, and he has of course a lion's share, are delivered with precision and in a manner revelatory of character. This is a major performance by any standards, holding the audience in its vice.
The large cast of 17 actors have clearly been carefully chosen, and there is really not a weak link among them; even the boy princes, destined to be murdered in the Tower of London, acquit themselves well. Representative of the general high standard are Paul Walker's Buckingham, David Cairnduff's Richmond and Elaine Symons as Lady Anne.
Top honours go to director Michael Caven, who must accordingly also bear the brunt of my niggling reservations. The limited use of puppets tended to distract, and the final scenes, battle and after, might have dispensed with some obvious invention.
Until September 22nd. Bookings: 01-6082461