Richmond is now always going to be one of these words that brings a smile to Liberal Democrats, along with words like Dunfermline, Brent Central, Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles, Newbury and Christchurch, all great by-election wins.
But there’s another reason that Richmond features on our site today. Our very own Joe Otten takes to the stage in Sheffield for the next four nights as Richmond in a production of Shakespeare’s Richard III with a difference:
In an alternate time-line the climax of the Wars of the Roses coincided with the nadir of trench warfare. The victorious Yorkist commander, the Duke of Gloucester decides that supporting her sibling’s claim to the throne is no longer good enough. She sets out to eliminate all her competition and wear the garland of the realm. However, her success awakens Lancastrian revanchism and the Earl of Richmond leads an invasion force to take back this noble isle.
As Europe commemorates 100 years since WWI The Company transplants William Shakespeare’s biggest villain to 1917. Following the lead of a number of recent high profile Shakespeare productions Richard and a number of other parts have been gender-swapped.
Any parallels with current events are entirely coincidental.
You can find out more and buy tickets here.
* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings. You can find her on Bluesky at caronmlindsay.bsky.social
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7 Comments
Well done Joe.
Wii stoke central bring a smile too
I note the website has our Mr Otten playing Blunt rather than Richmond, though.
I thought Sarah Teather’s seat was Brent East ?
‘The Company transplants William Shakespeare’s biggest villain to 1917’. Might work.
Ian McKellen’s version, years ago, was 1930s-WWII in its backdrops. Which worked well till the battle scenes, when ‘my kingdom for a horse’ jarred.
Never sure why companies feel the need to mess about with the histories, TBH, but all the best.
‘I thought Sarah Teather’s seat was Brent East’
She won it in the 2003 by-election and retained it in 2005. But it was abolished and she was elected for Brent Central in 2010, which she held until she stood down in 2015.
Yes I was due to play Blunt, but the Richmond actor had to drop out with a week to go, so I took over that part.