CAST Performing Shakespeare's "Richard III" at Gloucester Stage Company

“True hope is swift, and flies with swallow’s wings.” - Richard III, William Shakespeare.

Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe (CAST) presents William Shakespeare’s “Richard III” this April. The play centers on the ruthless Richard, Duke of Gloucester, as he schemes, betrays, and murders his way to the English throne. His atrocious rise to power leads to his downfall at the Battle of Bosworth Field.

The selection of “Richard III” as CAST’s spring show was made by Jess Emerson, the director of the production. She has directed college and high school productions. Emerson is happy to cross “Richard III” off her dream shows-to-direct list as her first community theater production. She believes it’s a show about power.

“I think the themes of a tyrant in power and with the allure of achieving that power can do to a person are very relevant today, and I think CAST would agree,” Emerson said.

Richard’s complex character has been Emerson’s main interest. For more research on Richard’s deformity, Emerson said she watched other performances and read ‘Year of the King’ by Antony Sher. She emphasizes his complexity and charisma, noting that Richard is not purely evil, and said that his charm draws the audience into his character.

For auditions, actors prepared a two-minute Shakespearean monologue and prepared sides from the play. The show has 22 actors from around the North Shore.

Ted Silva, who plays Richard III, jumped at the opportunity when CAST announced the show, just recently returning from a 6-year acting hiatus. He is experienced with Shakespeare, having studied his plays in college and teaching it to his tenth-grade English students.

For his role as Richard III, Silva said he’s studied this character from his physical deformities, understanding his desire for power, and the language.

“Finding those areas where Richard’s true, vulnerable self shines through all the scheming will hopefully serve to complicate him and make the experience far more complex and enriching for audiences,” Silva said.

Rehearsals have been packed with character work, blocking, and learning the Shakespearean language. Emerson said the show has exciting technical elements, from sets and costumes to reflect medieval England.

For Emerson, she said the most important aspect is listening to her actor’s interpretations. “There’s been days when someone makes an acting choice that makes me scream with delight - seeing these actors shape their parts has been extremely fun for me,” Emerson said.

Michael Barry, who plays Lord Buckingham, has always had a deep love and respect for Shakespeare’s works, having directed and performed in several Shakespeare productions. In rehearsals, Barry said that he has explored his character’s relationship with Richard and why Buckingham helps him ascend the throne.

Barry said the best way to learn the Shakespearean language is to keep performing it. “Always remember, Shakespeare’s plays were never meant to be just read and analyzed. They were meant to be performed in front of large crowds. That is the best way to learn Shakespeare. To perform it.”

CAST’s “Richard III” marks avid Shakespearean fan Kristin Alexander’s first time performing in a Shakespeare play. She plays Lady Anne Neville. She has studied her character’s grief process throughout rehearsals. Alexander said the play explores the complexity of good and evil, questioning whether people are shaped by nature or choice.

“(Shakespeare’s) works invite us to look inward and remind us that, despite our differences from the characters, we all share the same desire - to be loved,” she said.

CAST’s “Richard III” performs at the Gloucester Stage Company in Gloucester, MA, from April 9 through April 19. Tickets are available at: https://gloucesterstage.com/richardiii/