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Overview
Synopsis
To what lengths will one man go to be king? Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, has his eye on the throne of England and desires all of the power it entails. However, his brother Edward is king, and there are several people--including his young nephew--in line for the monarchy before Richard can ever hope to gain the crown. But as Gloucester has resolved to be a villain, he begins a killing spree to eliminate anyone and everyone in his path. Based on the last of the historical Plantagenet Kings, Shakespeare’s Richard III brings to life one of the most infamous monarchs in England’s history in a twisting tale of villainy and intrigue for the ages.
Show Information
- Book
- William Shakespeare
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1597
- Genres
- Drama, Historical/Biographical, Tragedy
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- England, 1480s
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, High School, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters
Context
While it was most likely written in 1592 or 1593, William Shakespeare’s Richard III was not entered into London’s Official Register until October 20, 1597. It was probably performed before then, but there are no definitive records regarding the first production.
The Plantagenet Kings were a popular subject for Shakespeare’s history plays, and while Richard III offers an account of the last Plantagenet King, it is one of his earliest history plays. Shakespeare used Holinshed’s Chronicles
to read the context for Richard III and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, greets the audience. He explains that the civil war between the Yorks and the Lancasters is over, that his brother Edward IV of York is on the throne of England, and that they are in a time of peace. However, he has no joy in it, and is instead determined to be a villain, to “set my brother Clarence and the king / In deadly hate, the one against the other.” George, the Duke of Clarence, is his older brother (Edward IV is the oldest of the three),
to read the plot for Richard III and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Silent |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Silent |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Female |
Silent |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Silent |
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Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Spoken, Silent |
|
|
|
Male |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A sound in battle, often used in stage directions to indicate a fight happening offstage
Cheat
Disguise or deceive
Occurs when the audience has information that the characters do not.
Referring to life in England under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, 1558-1603.
Gladly, willing to do something
A genre of play that is based on the narrative of true historical events and people, often considered a subgenre of tragedy.
Temperament, mood
A type of verse with ten syllables per line and syllables alternating between unstressed and stressed beats.
A prediction, often used in classical theatre to foreshadow tragic events.
Trumpet call, used in stage directions to indicate a procession (especially of royalty)
A speech given by a character that reveals inner thoughts only shared with the audience.
Temper; depending on the circumstances can refer to irritability or amusement
Mood
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress