Rehearsals Start, Countdown Is On For RICHARD III At Maynardville

Rehearsals have started and the countdown is on to the much-anticipated production of Shakespeare's historic dark comic tragedy, RICHARD III. It will be presented at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre from 7 February to 9 March 2019, directed by Geoffrey Hyland and starring award-winning actor Alan Committie in the title role.

Committie was recently seen in The Fugard Theatre's production of David Mamet's hard-hitting two-hander OLEANNA, and award-winning Shakespeare director Hyland returns to Maynardville after the triumph of Twelfth Night (2017).

RICHARD III is an explosive, action-packed tragedy and one of the Bard's greatest tales. In this riveting story about the infamous hunchback, the audience joins the roller coaster ride of the brutally brilliant and seductively charming Richard of Gloucester as he stages one of the most calculated power grabs of all times to become the new king of England.

Joining Committie are Anthea Thompson (The Father, My Briljante Egskeiding) as Queen Margaret, Lee-Ann van Rooi (Woman Alone, Sara Se Geheim) as the Duchess of York, Andrew Laubscher (Swerfgoed, Marat Sade) as the Duke of Buckingham, Bianca Mannie (Homeland, Saints & Strangers) as Lady Anne, Cassandra Mpanda (Yerma, A Lie of the Mind) as Queen Elizabeth, Sanda Shandu (King Kong - The Musical, Orpheus in Africa) as Richmond, David Viviers (Kanarie, I Love You Sally Fields) as Lord Hastings, with Cape Talk's John Maytham (Shakespeare in Love, Via da la Rosa) as Lord Stanley. Other members of the ensemble include Matthew Bobby Stuurman (Twelfth Night, Like Hamlet), Tailyn Ramsamy (Macbeth, Raiders of the Last Crusade), Damon Munn (The Hot House, East) Tafara Nyatsanza (Murdering Agatha Christie, Cattle Drive) and Sam Alexander (The Tombs of Atuan, Nineveh).

Costume Design is by Ilka Louw, Set Design by Geoffrey Hyland and Bridie Birdy, Lighting Design by Faheem Bardien and Sound Design by Bernard Kotze.

"Shakespeare's musings on self-interested power and twisted ambition continue to resonate today,"says Hyland. "Richard III is the timeless and universal story of the rise and fall of one of Shakespeare's most thrilling and charismatic villains. Through rumour, fake news and false narratives; with a devilish wit and fuelled by revenge; Richard aims at the crown and destroys all who stand in his way including those closest to him."

The production forms part of the second Maynardville Open-Air Festival, featuring a programme of music, dance, comedy and more, under the stars at Maynardville.Gather your friends, pack a picnic and soak up the magic that is the Maynardville experience.

RICHARD III is presented by Alan Committie, Siv Ngesi and Simon Cooper, in association with the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre Trust and Liquidmatch Productions, and supported by Artscape Theatre Centre.

RICHARD III will run Monday to Saturdays from 7 February until 9 March 2019 at 20:15. Tickets cost from R150 to R220. Catch the Early Bird Special before 10 January 2019 and pay between R130 to R200.

Spoil someone you love on the extra special Valentine's Night on Thursday 14 February, including prizes to be won on the evening.

Bookings can be made at Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet.