The Arden Shakespeare, in association with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, presents a new series of volumes on Shakespeare's plays in performance.The series discusses and analyses the wide range of theatrical interpretation stimulated and provoked by the most frequently performed plays. Each volume explores how different directors, designers and actors have interpreted and adapted an individual play in terms of narrative focus, themes and characters, scenery and costume. The focus is on productions at Stratford-upon-Avon since 1945, on the basis that the record of Shakespeare performances at Stratford's theatres offers a wider, fuller and more various range of interpretation than is offered by any other theatre company. The volumes also set this record in a wider geographical and chronological context by means of a historical overview of earlier productions and of productions beyond Stratford.Published in conjunction with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, each volume features a wealth of photographs (many of them not previously seen in print) drawn from the archive of RSC performance materials held in the Trust's library at the Shakespeare Centre in Stratford.Shakespeare at Stratford will surprise, inform and delight both students and scholars of Shakespeare and performance history and the general reader with an interest in theatre.
This book is part of a book series called Shakespeare At Stratford .
There are 280 pages in this book.
It is aimed at Young Adult readers. The term Young Adult (YA) is used for books which have the following characteristics: (1) aimed at ages 12-18 years, US grades 7-12, UK school years 8-15, (2) around 50-75k words long, (3) main character is aged 12-18 years, (4) topics include self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaning, (5) point of view is often in the first person, and (6) swearing, violence, romance and sexuality are allowed.
This book was published in 2001 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC .
Rene Weis is Professor of English at University College London and a distinguished editor and biographer of Shakespeare.
This book contains the following story:
Richard Iii
'I am determined to prove a villain' vows the sinister Duke of Gloucester as he prepares to seize the English Crown and become King Richard III.
"Richard III" is a historical play written by William Shakespeare, chronicling the rise and fall of Richard III, the last monarch of the Plantagenet dynasty, and his ruthless quest for the English crown.
Act 1: The play opens with Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, plotting to seize the throne after the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars that led to the ascension of the Tudor dynasty. Richard, who is physically deformed and bitter about his appearance, reveals his ambition and his willingness to manipulate and deceive to achieve his goals.
Act 2: Richard begins his scheming by orchestrating the downfall of his older brother, King Edward IV, who is ailing and weak. He convinces Edward to imprison their brother, Clarence, on false charges of treason. Richard then has Clarence murdered in the Tower of London, clearing the path for his own ascent to the throne.
Act 3: As Richard consolidates his power, he manipulates those around him, including Lady Anne, the widow of Edward's slain son, whom he woos despite being responsible for her husband's death. Richard's charm and cunning win her over, and they marry. Richard's next target is his nephews, the young princes, who are next in line for the throne. He arranges for them to be imprisoned in the Tower and eventually orders their murder, removing any potential rivals to his rule.
Act 4: As opposition to Richard grows, he faces challenges from several factions, including the Earl of Richmond (later King Henry VII), who represents the Lancastrian claim to the throne. A series of battles ensue as the rebellion against Richard gains momentum.
Act 5: In the final act, Richard prepares for the decisive Battle of Bosworth Field. On the eve of the battle, he is tormented by the ghosts of those he has murdered, haunted by his conscience and the weight of his crimes. During the battle, Richard is killed, and Richmond emerges victorious. With Richard's death, the Wars of the Roses come to an end, and the Tudor dynasty is established, bringing stability to England. The play concludes with Richmond being crowned King Henry VII, symbolizing the end of the Plantagenet dynasty and the beginning of a new era in English history.
"Richard III" is a gripping historical drama that explores themes of ambition, power, and the consequences of unchecked ambition and ruthless pursuit of the throne. Richard's Machiavellian tactics, his ability to manipulate others, and his unyielding quest for power make him one of Shakespeare's most memorable and infamous villains.
This book features the following characters:
John Shakespeare
This book features the character John Shakespeare.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright and actor. He wrote plays, sonnets and verse and is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English Language. Son of a glove maker, he grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon. He married Anne Hathaway and had three children, though one died very young. Shakespeare left Stratford to pursue theatre in London, where he acted at the Globe Theatre, wrote and was part owner of a playing company called 'The Lord Chamberlein's Men' (later 'The King's Men').
Shakespeare
This book features the character Shakespeare.
Mary Arden
This book features the character Mary Arden.
Anne Hathaway
This book features the character Anne Hathaway.
