WHAT: Richard III by William Shakespeare. Directed by Gavin Cameron-Webb
WHERE: All performances take place at the Wells-Metz Theatre, Lee Norvelle
Theatre and Drama Center, 275 N. Jordan Ave. No photography or recording of any
kind is permitted during performances.
WHEN: Oct. 19, 20, 23-26 at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS: Regular admission is $25 for adults, $15 for students, $20 for senior
citizens; Student Rush Tickets: $10 cash with a valid IU Bloomington student ID on
the day of each performance.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-IU Theatre’s 2012-13 season continues with Shakespeare’s Richard III.. Director
Gavin Cameron–Webb, who also helmed last season’s production of A Midsummer
Night’s Dream, is opting for the motorcycle gang motif as a doorway into the world
of Shakespeare’s play. Cameron-Webb explains, “I am not modernizing the story or
attempting to paint a realistic portrait of a motorbike gangland war. The idea is
strictly metaphorical - it is a way to illustrate the chaotic times of the 1480's.”
Indeed, England’s War of Roses, which forms the backdrop of the story, was in many
ways akin to the long and drawn out feuds between rival gangs: Nobles ruthlessly
vied for power and territory and the bloodshed persisted for generations. Many
regions of the world are presently embroiled in similar conflicts.
Richard III may have been, in some ways, written as a cautionary tale at a time when
England was in danger of falling into chaos again. As Cameron-Webb points out,
“The play was written in the early 1590’s when Queen Elizabeth was in her sixties,
and had no heir.”
While the play was—and continues to be—immensely popular, it was never
intended to be historically accurate. The name of Richard III, who in reality was
neither a hunchback nor a tyrant, has become synonymous with deceit and
corruption. Yet Cameron-Webb sees no reason to keep modern-day audiences in the
dark.
“The approach of the production as a whole is to reveal the play for the propaganda
that it is. We will do this by having a sort of ‘fact checker’ in the shape of a large
flatscreen which will show the actual facts as opposed to Shakespeare's version.”
To further emphasize the propaganda within the story, Queen Elizabeth I will make
an appearance, in full Tudor Regalia. In short, audiences can expect Shakespeare’s
matchless villain to remain at the center of the play, with visual cues and framing
devices bringing to light the larger political motivations surrounding it. Or, in the
words of the director: “Richard III: Can you handle the truth?”
Playing the title role will be second-year M.F.A. actor Aaron Kirkpatrick. Joining him
in the cast are sophomore theatre major Cassie Alexander (Duke of York),
sophomore theatre major Sam Barkley (Brakenbury & Surrey) senior theatre major
Nicole Bruce (Queen Margaret), senior B.F.A. musical theatre major Taylor Crousore
(Edward IV & Richmond), junior theatre major Jowi Estava (Berkeley & Lovell),
junior Arabic major Jackson Goldberg (Hastings & Oxford), junior theatre major
Brianna Handy (Prince Edward), junior theatre major Ian Ketcham (Tyrell), firstyear M.F.A. acting student Joshua Krause (Derby), sophomore Colin Landberg
(Dorset), first-year M.F.A. actor Mara Lefler (Duchess of York & Queen Elizabeth I)
sophomore theatre major Courtney Lucien (Lady Anne), senior theatre major John
Machesky (Lord Mayor), senior political science major Lindsey Keiser (Catesby),
second-year M.F.A. actor Andrea Mellos (Queen Elizabeth), senior theatre major
Jessye Grace Mueller (Bishop of Ely), Anthony O'Donovan (Ratcliffe & Ensemble),
sophomore B.F.A. musical theatre major Nathan Robbins (Clarence & Norfolk),
senior theatre major David-Aaron Roth (Earle Rivers & Brandon), senior theatre
major Max Singer (Canterbury & Ensemble) and first-year M.F.A. actor Austin
Wilson (Buckingham).
Joining Director Gavin Cameron-Webb’s creative team will be first-year M.F.A.
director Rob Heller (as Assistant Director), second year M.F.A. scenic designer
Lauren Lusk, third-year M.F.A. costume designer Katie Cowan Sickmeier, third-year
M.F.A. lighting designer Amanda Wray, senior sound designer Suli Stuelpnagel,
second-year M.F.A. technical director John Houtler, and senior theatre and drama
major Chika Ike serving as research assistant.