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

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Eric Abraham presents this Fugard Theatre production of Shakespeare In Love which was a runaway success last year, playing to sold out houses and critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike.

Written by Lee Hall and adapted from the Academy Award-winning (1999) screenplay by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman, the comedy ran for an extended sold out season at the West End’s Noel Coward Theatre in London in 2014.

Shakespeare In Love features a stellar cast of 21 actors including the return of the loveable fur-actor Bogart as Spot the Dog, who captured the hearts of all who saw the show. The play is directed by the Fugard Theatre’s resident director Greg Karvellas.

Robyn Scott recently won the Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Play for her role as Elizabeth I. The production was also nominated for Best Performance by an Ensemble, Best Lighting Design for Wolf Britz and Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Play for Darron Araujo as Henslowe.

Stepping into the role of Will Shakespeare is Daniel Mpilo Richards who has been dazzling audiences as Bernardo the leader of the Sharks in the Fugard Theatre’s West Side Story, with the return of Roxane Hayward as Viola de Lesseps and Cape Talk’s John Maytham as Fennyman.

Multiple award-winner Robyn Scott stars as Queen Elizabeth and Jason K. Ralph as Lord Wessex.  Nicholas Pauling plays Ned Allen, Sven Ruygrok in the role of Sam and Mark Elderkin as Burbage. Darron Araujo performs the role of Henslowe, Adrian Collins as Ralph, Walter van Dyk as Tilney, Pierre Malherbe as Nol, Lucy Tops as Nurse, Dean Balie as John Webster and Louis Viljoen as Mr Wabash.

Completing the ensemble are Alex Tops as Robin, Kathleen Stephens as Mistress Quickly, Rendani Mufamadi as Lambert and Rachel Mertens who returns to the Ensemble.

Set Design is by Paul Wills ,Costume Sourcing and Styling is by Birrie le Roux and Widaad Albertus with Lighting Design by Wolf Britz. Sound Design is by David Classen, with Resident Musical Director of the Fugard Theatre Charl Johan Lingenfelder. Choreography is by Kristin Wilson, with Fight Choreography by Jon Keevy.

Young Will Shakespeare has writer’s block… the deadline for his new play is fast approaching but he is in desperate need of inspiration. That is, until he finds his muse – Viola. This beautiful young woman is Will’s greatest admirer and will stop at nothing (including breaking the law) to appear in his next play.

Against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming and backstage theatrics, Will’s love for Viola quickly blossoms and inspires him to write his greatest masterpiece.
Tickets from R150 to R350 can be booked through the Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554 or through the Fugard Theatre’s website at www.thefugard.com.There is a 15% discount available for the Friends of The Fugard members.

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