Review: Richard III at Trafalgar Studios (Trafalgar Transformed)

Richard III 
Trafalgar Studios (Trafalgar Transformed)
Reviewed on Tuesday 8th July 2014
★★★

Following the huge success of its inaugural season last year, Trafalgar Transformed is back. Last year's season opened with James McAvoy starring as the title role in Macbeth, and now Martin Freeman is making his Shakespearean stage debut as the title character in Richard III.

It seems everybody has an opinion as to how Richard III should be portrayed. He may be a power seeking, ruthless, delusional monster, but the character has complex moments and shouldn't just be hated throughout.

Freeman's performance is interesting as the character's ruthlessness doesn't dominate; instead it is the subtleties in his performance, and the evil twinkle in his eyes, which highlight Richard's twisted mind. 

Freeman dares to be different which some may not like, but his portrayal enables you to look at Richard in a new way. The quirks in Freeman's performance are evident from the start, but perhaps this uneasiness could be held back at first to enable the character to eventually unravel further. The only other element of Freeman's performance which doesn’t feel right is his lack of unpredictability.

Further casting announced for Richard III starring Martin Freeman

Further casting has been announced for Jamie Lloyd's production of Richard III at Trafalgar Studios.

Gina McKee will play Queen Elizabeth alongside the previously announced Martin Freeman as Richard III in Jamie Lloyd’s first production of his second Trafalgar Transformed season. Richard III opens at Trafalgar Studios on 8th July (preveiws from 1st July) and runs until 27th September.

Martin Freeman stars in Richard III: Further information announced

Further information has been announced about Richard III starring Martin Freeman, the first production of Jamie Lloyd’s second season for Trafalgar Transformed at Trafalgar Studios. 

The production will run from 1st July until 27th September 2014, following Lloyd’s critically acclaimed first season for Trafalgar Transformed, which launched with Macbeth starring James McAvoy. The season also saw successful runs of The Hothouse, starring John Simm and Simon Russell Beale, and The Pride, starring Hayley Atwell and Mathew Horne.

Jamie Lloyd said: "I am thrilled to be returning to our transformed space at Trafalgar Studios and am delighted to kick off our second season with Shakespeare's astonishing power play, Richard III. Last year, through our £15 Mondays scheme, a staggering 51% of the audience was comprised of first-time theatregoers, targeted with the help of organisations like the inspiring Mousetrap Theatre Projects (of which I am now a patron). 

Jamie Lloyd's Trafalgar Transformed returns with Richard III starring Martin Freeman

Sherlock and Hobbit star Martin Freeman (pictured right) will star in Richard III at Trafalgar Studios. The production marks the return of Jamie Lloyd's Trafalgar Transformed season.

Further information has been announced. Click here for more.

Last year Lloyd staged critically acclaimed productions of Macbeth, The Hothouse and The Pride. Most recently he directed the West End productions of The Commitments and Urinetown and is currently working on the stage adaptation of Back to the Future.

Rehearsals for Richard III will begin by late May or early June of this year. Performances are set to begin in July, with the show running until September. Tickets are expected to go on sale in the next seven to ten days.