Simon Russell Beale plays William Shakespeare’s Richard II, broadcast live from the stage of the Almeida Theatre in London to cinemas.
Acting
Beale's Richard: theatrical, fragile, absolutely devastating.
Direction
Joe Hill-Gibbins strips it bare—no crowns, just ego and ash.
Production
Minimalist staging forces you into Richard's collapsing mind.
Director
Tony Grech-Smith
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This production marked Beale's first Richard II after decades of being considered Britain's greatest stage actor without having played the role.
The Almeida's bare staging—actors in modern dress, no physical crown—mirrors Richard's own obsession with theatricality as power.
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Reactions from the web
Really enjoyed Antony & Cleopatra, really looking forward to this.
@charlieplummer2566
He looks more like a Falstaff
@arthurbriand2175
SRB as Richard II!? A bit old for this role I believe, too mucho as well. What were they thinking? I suppose Cabbagepatch, oops! Cumberbatch wasn't available.
@johnneville-andrews8566
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