THE BASICS: Shakespeare in Delaware Park (SDP) has kicked off its 37th season with this droll but drafty “history” play. It’s been directed by SDP founder Saul Elkin, and stars Buffalo’s own Tim Newell. RICHARD plays daily, except Mondays, on Shakespeare Hill (behind the Rose Garden in Delaware Park), through July 15th. It’s free, but the actors do “pass the hat” at intermission. If you go, bring a comfy low chair, and plenty of munchies. This runs a whopping 3 ¼ hours!
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: The action takes place in the 15th century, at the end of the War of the Roses. (There’s been an attempt to transpose it to the United States, circa 1960, which is odd, but doesn’t really get in the way.) Richard, the snarky, deformed, rancorous younger brother of newly crowned Edward IV, decides that, being no lover, he will play the villain. Taking the audience into his confidence, he merrily plots, plans and murders his way to the throne. Things work out badly for him, of course, with the ghosts of his various victims visiting him on the eve of the decisive battle, to wish him ill. His final thought: “A horse. A horse. My kingdom for a horse!” This comes as a real surprise in this particular production, where there has never been any suggestion of horses, or riding on them!
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY AND THE PRODUCTION: Let me start by commending SDP for finding twenty male actors with sufficient skill to pull this thing off. There are various levels of skill on display, but no inept thespians in this mighty (two dozen, counting the women) cast. Mr. Newell plays Richard with a humpback pillow, prosthetic hand and blackened left eye (what is that about?). He knows the character inside out, and provides some clever touches (like the sound he makes when he kisses Queen Elizabeth’s hand). But he is hampered by his overall low-key approach and lack of innate charisma. The latter has an unfortunate consequence: For the play to really “work”, Richard, who speaks directly to the audience on many occasions, must make us co-conspirators, get us somehow on his side. It is Shakespeare’s genius that makes this possible, gives the play its distinctive magic. Sadly, this never really happens here. The fact that Robert Rutland (former Studio Arena favorite) is so exceptionally good as Lord Buckingham, Richard’s right hand man, doesn’t make things any easier for Mr. Newell. The buoyant, silver-tongued Rutland gives us Buckingham-as-circus-barker, and steals a couple of the play’s best scenes. Kudos too to Larry Rowswell, whose dying king Edward is imbued with a warm, urgent sincerity.
With the exception of Lady Anne (Kay Kerimian, in a very nice performance) RICHARD’s women are wailing, ranting former queens. Lisa Vitrano is the standout here, as the vicious, haranguing Queen Margaret. Ms Vitrano chews up the stage, taking no prisoners. But clearly she is too young and too pretty for the role (“foul”, “wrinkled”, “withered”???). I’ll admit that I’ve never cared for these ranting scenes, and director Elkin has included both. The whole play (Shakespeare’s fourth longest) could use a serious pruning. Director Elkin has made some deletions, but not nearly enough. The pace needs to be tightened, to keep us absorbed and prevent early audience departures. There are the usual excellent musical moments from Tom Makar, and Chris Cavanaugh has provided some razzle-dazzle lighting at the end.
FINAL THOUGHTS: A tolerable RICHARD III, and the price is right. I do have some issues (see above), but it could be a whole lot worse. If it’s a lovely summer evening, and you have plenty of time on your hands, you may want to give this a shot.
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!