In February, I went to see the Bell Shakespeare Company's production of Richard 3 at the Opera House. The main reason I wanted to see it was, Richard was being played by Kate Mulvany, who really impressed me as Cassius in Julius Caesar.

I went in knowing almost nothing about the play or the history, only:

1. it was politically expedient to blacken the name of Richard III, who was
2. called a hunchback, but actually had scoliosis, and
3. may or may not have killed the two Princes in the Tower, and
4. the War of the Roses inspired Game of Thrones.

So it was a pretty suspenseful and gripping experience! It felt like a cross between Downton Abbey (the sets and costumes) and Game of Thrones (the political machinations and increasing body count). Not knowing the outcome added to the tension, although I did have the sense that Richard, as the villain, would come to a bad end. Kate Mulvany was compelling in the role, her Richard both charming and repulsive in his manipulations, an outcast fuelled by simmering anger and ambition. Bold casting that paid off. (Her own thoughts on the role are quite interesting to read.)