Richard III Tickets

The Apollo Theatre in London’s West End regularly attracts some stand-out shows and towards the end of 2012 this continues as it welcomes two transfers from Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre – “Richard III” and “Twelfth Night”. The former features Mark Rylance in the lead role of the villainous English King and it is also the second show that has featured a former monarch as its lead in 2012, with “The Madness  of George III” also appearing at the Apollo from January to March. So the venue’s ability to attract some talked-about productions is set to continue and it is likely that we will be seeing plenty more in the future.

Mark Rylance steps into the role of Richard following numerous stand-out performances in some acclaimed plays, some of which have appeared at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre where he was the Artistic Director from 1995 to 2005. In recent years it has been Jez Butterworth’s “Jerusalem” that landed him in the spotlight, earning him a Laurence Olivier Award in 2011 and a Tony Award in the same year. However, his additional credits include “La Bete” at what is now the Harold Pinter Theatre, “Endgame” at the Duchess Theatre and “I Am Shakespeare” on a national tour.

And with “Richard III” he teams up with director Tim Carroll, who has also had a strong history with Shakespeare’s Globe, having been their Associate Director from 1999 to 2005. During this period he brought Shakespearean classics like “Richard II”, “The Tempest” and “Romeo & Juliet” to the stage, among others, whilst also entertaining audiences across the country with additional productions and also operas as he has worked as the Director of Productions for the Kent Opera.

With “Richard III”, however, he will be telling the story of England’s famous King, who vanquished his predecessor and his son to make his way to the crown, where he enjoyed a short reign. But whilst he did not have the lengthiest time on the throne he has become the topic of one Shakespeare’s longest canonical plays, which is beaten only by “Hamlet” for its duration.

“Richard III” appears at the Apollo Theatre in the West End from Saturday 17th November 2012 (previews from Friday 2nd November 2012) until Sunday 3rd February 2013.