Prospective viewers would do well to take note of the puff around this version of the first play in Shakespeare’s History Cycle, originally produced on stage in 2023 and filmed in front of a live audience.
This “revolutionary adaptation” by Canadian playwright Brad Fraser has been conceived and directed by Jillian Keiley and frequently bears remarkably little similarity to the play of the same name written by William Shakespeare. This is concept theatre at its most extreme—Shakespeare reimagined with an Angels in America vibe.
Those watching will instantly decide whether it is for them, as the curtain rises on a gay and lesbian clubbing scene with, at its centre, Stephen Jackman-Torkoff portraying a diva-King. Throughout the 2¼-hour running time, disco music and dancers impinge, the latter kitted out as louche angels.
It isn’t just the look and feel that are different but also elements of the plot. King Richard’s cousin Aumerle, played by Emilio Vieira, is not only his right-hand man but also bedfellow. The court is a big, drunken playground with the King as chief playboy, clearly ill-suited to his regal role but also uncomfortably placed to deal appropriately with several elements of Shakespeare’s plot, which is heavily cut and sometimes difficult to follow.
The tragic line is set up when the King banishes Jordin Hall as his placid cousin Henry Bolingbroke. What goes around comes around and, before too long, in an effort to save the kingdom but, as a result unintentionally starting the Wars of the Roses, Bolingbroke returns.
In doing so, he brings a measure of much-needed dignity to the kingdom. This is mirrored by two of his closest companions, meek York and the influential Countess of Northumberland, respectively played by Michael Spencer-Davis and Sarah Orenstein.
The spectacularly camp atmosphere calms down somewhat after the interval as the plot becomes more recognisable, albeit still with some major introductions, for example a character dying from what appears to be AIDS.
This is the kind of production that prospective viewers will either love or hate. Decide for yourself.
This video is available on the newly revamped and relaunched Stratfest@home web site in assorted formats up to the crystal clear 4K. The library is expanded and the pricing is just £6.44 per month or £64.47 for an annual subscription. It is a great treasure trove that will give fans of high-quality theatre hours of pleasure.