Richard III

Alan Committie cast in Shakespear’s Richard III.

Shakespeare’s historic dark comic tragedy, Richard III, which will be presented at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre from 7 February to 9 March 2019, is directed by Geoffrey Hyland and starring award-winning actor, Alan Committie in the title role.

Committie was recently seen in The Fugard Theatre’s production of David Mamet’s hard-hitting two-hander OLEANNA, and award-winning Shakespeare director Hyland returns to Maynardville after the triumph of Twelfth Night, from 2017.

Richard III is an explosive, action-packed tragedy and one of the Bard’s greatest tales. In this riveting story about the infamous hunchback, the audience joins the roller coaster ride of the brutally brilliant and seductively charming Richard of Gloucester as he stages one of the most calculated power grabs of all times to become the new king of England.

Joining Committie, are Anthea Thompson from The Father and My Briljante Egskeiding, as Queen Margaret, Lee-Ann van Rooi from Woman Alone and Sara Se Geheim, as the Duchess of York, Andrew Laubscher of Swerfgoed and Marat Sade, as the Duke of Buckingham, Bianca Mannie of Homeland and Saints & Strangers fame, as Lady Anne, Cassandra Mpanda  of Yerma,and A Lie of the Mind, as Queen Elizabeth. Also feauturing are Cape Talk’s John Maytham  from Shakespeare in Love and Via da la Rosa, as Lord Stanley. Other members of the ensemble include Mphumzi Nontshinga  of Yerma and Sainthood.

Costume Design is by Leigh Bishop, Set Design by Geoffrey Hyland and Bridie Birdy and Lighting Design by Faheem Bardien.

Hyland says Shakespeare’s musings on self-interested power and twisted ambition continue to resonate today. Richard III is the timeless and universal story of the rise and fall of one of Shakespeare’s most thrilling and charismatic villains.  Through rumour, fake news and false narratives; with a devilish wit and fuelled by revenge, Richard aims at the crown and destroys all who stand in his way including those closest to him.

The production forms part of the second Maynardville Open-Air Festival, featuring a programme of music, dance, comedy and more, under the stars at Maynardville. Gather your friends, pack a picnic and soak up the magic that is the Maynardville experience.

Rehearsals have started and the countdown is on to the much-anticipated production of Shakespearian production.

Richard III is presented by Alan Committie, Siv Ngesi and Simon Cooper, in association with the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre Trust and Liquidmatch Productions, and supported by Artscape Theatre Centre.

Richard III

Maynardville Open-Air Theatre

Monday to Saturdays from 7 February until 9 March 2019 at 20:15

Tickets cost from R150 to R220. Catch the Early Bird Special before 10 January 2019 and pay between R130 to R200

Bookings can be made at Computicket