Richard II Fan Reviews

This was it - the last night of Richard II and Kevin's last performance at the Old Vic until September 2006. The theatre was packed and there was a sense of anticipation. The cast did not disappoint, the performances were as fresh as they had been on the first night. Kevin's voice was stronger than it had been in the last few weeks and he used all his skills and energy to convey the essence of Richard; a spoilt, petulant man, quick to anger when he didn't get his own way, but also capable of humour and tenderness. The prison scene was astounding.

The contrast between Richard's quiet humour regarding his present existence and the explosion of violence when he is attacked by Lord Exton was stunning. The chair thrown by Kevin hit the handbasin with such force that pieces of porcelain littered the stage. As Richard and Exton struggled they came perilously close to the edge to the stage, that they didn't fall into the audience portrays the control and the work that went into the scene. All too soon the play came to an end and I feel very privileged to have seen this production, the entire cast deserves praise, as does Trevor Nunn, the director. And Kevin Spacey has proved to anyone who needed convincing, (not us!), that he can 'do Shakespeare'. Hopefully he got as much pleasure from playing the part as I got from watching him. It was an experience I will never forget.

I was at the last night performance of Richard II on Saturday evening, what a surprise I had when I found out I was in the front row - AWESOME. I was hoping that Kevin would trip (not to hurt himself) and land in my lap, but unfortunately he moved around the stage quite gracefully as a King would, and I never got the privilege so I had to watch him from about 4 feet instead !!!

I thought the whole cast did a splendid version of Richard II, very different, very original. Kevin was brilliant, cool, calm and totally in control, as usual, also I thought his English Shakesperian accent was very good.

Being so close this time, watching the play, I couldn't help but notice that Kevin, from the last time I saw him in The Philadelphia Story, seems to be a lot slimmer but still as cute and sexy. Could this have something to do with his gruelling schedule this year? Perhaps a well earned rest over the Christmas period with the Christmas festivities, will put that extra bit of weight he had at the beginning of the year, back on. Slim or even slimmer, he is without a doubt ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS in every way.

Looking forward to seeing him again next in 2006.

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Richard II
by Kim

I went to see Richard II last night, and I have to say, it knocked my socks off!!! Being a northern working-class girl, I have never experienced The Bard before, nor have I ever wanted to. However, having made the trek to London once more, to see my beloved Kevin, I am now completely entranced. This was not what I expected at all. In fact, the play was totally irrelevant to me, I just wanted to see the great man at work. So imagine my surprise when I discovered, at the tender age of 46, that I have been missing out on such wonderful theatre all of these years!! Thank you Kevin for enlightening me!

In terms of performances, I felt that all the actors were totally professional, but of-course the man himself was his usual magnetic self. A word on Ben Miles too.....he was truly wonderful. Charismatic and really very sexy (not quite as sexy as Mr. S. you understand!). I was fortunate enough to meet him after the performance, and got his autograph and had my photo taken with him. Of-course I got Kevin's autograph too, which I will treasure for all time.

Once again, I am extremely grateful to Kevin for the profound affect that seeing this great work has had upon me. I will now try to catch up on lots and lots of reading!!!!!

November 6, 2005

So I finally I got to see Richard II, what can I add to the existing reviews...

Well- it is wonderfully played by all, but Ben Miles and Kevin Spacey are astral. A mention too for Susan Tracy who is also excellent even though in a small part, oh how we laughed.

The set is simple, perfect, and even the scene changes have a small dramatic part.

Mr Spacey makes it all look so easy - you forget he even had to learn the part and the lines, it just flows so naturally.

Thank you to all. I will be back.

Sue Young
West Yorkshire, UK

Richard II has a special place in the Shakespeare canon for me. In the seventies I saw the much revered Pasco/Richardson production 22 times!! - (Excessive and obsessive I know). Older (but no wiser) I have seen subsequent productions, but none to equal that one. Oh boy - was I in for a treat this afternoon (29 October)
It works - the modern setting works! Reminiscent of Derek Jarman's Edward II, Trevor Nunn has worked his directorial magic to produce a play for 2005. Without exception everyone was superb. Trevor is ace at bringing out the best in his team of actors. I felt I was seeing the play for the first time, such was its power. I do not know Ben Miles at all and am belatedly singing his praises. It was lovely to see old stalwarts I have known for many years including Peter Eyre, Julian Glover, Mark Tandy, Sid Livingstone, Sean Baker (minus hat - a private joke), Oliver Cotton and Susan Tracy.

The way the stage was used - just about every inch of it I should imagine - was a masterclass in itself. This is how Shakespeare is produced on our stage, and I envy anyone seeing the play for the first time.

And now (at last) to the central performance. I am so glad I cut my fingernails yesterday! I could feel my heart pounding in every scene. What stood out? - all of it. The scene on his return from Ireland, the deposition, the prison and death - sheer brilliance. My worry was that KS was going to have the stamina to repeat it in the evening. I was aware he was tired when his accent started to return unbidden in the latter stages, and he looked totally washed out at the end. Here's hoping the audience in the evening got the same heady mixture of expertise and passion we had.

The audience - without whom actors are nothing - were so in tune with the whole proceedings - keening on every word and action - a real rollercoaster of a matinee.
Can I see it again? - Hmm - time and money allowing - maybe - if not, the memory of it will be up there along with everything else Trevor Nunn has produced and KS has been in (ok - I've only seen him in Philadelphia Story on stage).

PS - I was in love already - now it's serious!!!!

October 29, 2005

Richard II
by Virginia

I have seen several of the great Richards, including John Neville, Alan Howard, Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi, but I can honestly say that Kevin's performance equals the best of them. My husband and I were totally absorbed and the three hours flew by. The modern setting and use of video to haunt the action and to emphahsise the gap between public and private is very effective and the supporting cast is excellent, especially Ben Miles' Bolingbroke.

But Kevin's Richard is riveting. It is an intriguing interpretation which is in tune with modern times in its analysis of power and its effect on those who have it. He is every inch a king and the switches in mood which are integral to the character kept us almost on the edge of our seats throughout. I don't think I have ever seen the moment when he first realises power is leaving him done better. We had just been to see Downfall, the German film about Hitler, and the way Kevin's Richard loses it in front of his supporters elicits the same kind of shock of embarrassment you feel in the film when Hitler rants and raves. His Richard is a much stronger character than he's often played, not so much self-pitying as utterly incapable of conceiving a role for himself other than as king and that makes his breakdowns all the more moving. He clings almost pathetically to the crown in the abdication scene as if it defines him. In the final scene in prison he conveys a sense that he has finally achieved some sense of self-knowledge - it lacks the heart-rending pathos of other interpretations but it works.

As usual the critics have not been as generous as they should, although there have been some very good reviews. But the evening we went, the night before the opening, there were standing ovations. We thought National Anthems was superb, but Richard II really shows Kevin's range. Sorry you can't see it, America, but believe me we do appreciate him.

October 12, 2005

My second time to see this production and if anything it was better than the first - can it continue to improve? If KS continues to develop the character as he obviously doing, then the answer has to be yes. Tonight we saw a Richard who was warm, witty, pompous, vain, tender, arrogant, vicious, charming, self-pitying; sometimes in the space of seconds. One moment you wanted to strangle him because he was so awful, the next you wanted to hug him and tell him everything would be alright! The scene where Richard is forced to hand over his crown and kingship to Bolingbroke is heartbreaking - Richard now realises he has nothing, not even his name; he becomes physically smaller and weaker in front of your eyes. Yet, even in that scene Kevin finds humour - Richard asks for a mirror so that he can see how many wrinkles all the trauma has given him. He carefully examines his face - and finds none. This is an excellent performance; it makes you very excited to think of KS doing more Shakespeare in the future. He is definitely enjoying this challenge, he is growing in confidence and becoming an even better actor. It is thrilling to watch.

I know this site is primarily interested in Kevin, but it would be a mistake not to acknowledge the very fine performances of the other 24 cast members. They are all very individual, gifted actors and they have become a company. Tonight the audience gave them a standing ovation - it was truly deserved.

October 12, 2005

Link to a description of the Q&A Spacey fan Isis attended earlier in the day.

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Richard II
by Terri

www.incitingscenes.com :)

Saw him in Richard II in London. He was awesome!!! First time I really enjoyed Shakespeare.

My wife and I were at the excellent Saturday 24 September 2005 matinee production of Richard 2.

We managed to get Kevin Spacey's autograph but while waiting I was very embarrased when I realized all the excellent cast were leaving for a break and no one myself included was asking for their autograph waiting in anticipation for Kevin.

We later met and had a chat in the street with Oliver Cotton and Ben Miles and explained our embarrasment. They were very gracious about it and were great to talk to. I hope Ben enjoyed his takeaway.

We have been to National Anthems and the Philadelphia Story with our daughter but this time my wife and I travelled alone from Torquay for her birthday. We look forward to returning before the production finishes. Best wishes to all the excellent cast.

Last night - Saturday 25th - I went to see Richard II at the Old Vic. Fantastic!

I have to admit that Kevin was my primary motive for going to Shakespeare but the performance last night has lit a flame that I fully intend to fan. I haven't paid much attention to The Bard since having to at school but what a difference it makes seeing it performed live. I was familiar with the story of Richard - the play questions monarchy, the traditions and history of England, and whether it was acceptable to have an absolute right to power simply because your father was King.

The play is however in a contemporary setting - modern and stark backdrops, modern clothing designed by Armani, and this I think helps make it more accessible to those who are newcomers to seeing Shakespeare performed live, including me.

Kevin does an impecable English accent throughout the play and being a couple of rows from the front he was quite mesmerising. I didn't think that I would be able to forget that it was Kevin I was watching but the acting is superb and you are soon being carried by the story and the ensemble acting. The play lasts 3 hours and there are a number of long speeches and, in addition to Kevin, some great performances from the entire cast.

There were standing ovations at the end and Kevin and the cast looked very moved. We have such a tradition in England of knocking people and his time at the Old Vic so far has met with such a lot of criticism from the media - certainly not from the public who are really appreciative of what he is doing - that this was the best response we could give the cast. I think the official opening for Richard is in early October but going to see one of the previews was great - you get to see the play before the media decide whether they are going to support it or not and you can make up your own mind. I'm going to try and get tickets to see it during the closing week to see how it looks and if there were any changes made since the previews.

If you are not used to Shakespeare or the English accent and are going to see the play then it might help the get familiar with the story before you go - do a search on the internet and get the outline down as this will definitely help you keep up with the plot and the pace of the speeches.

Oh, and finally, I know that some people not a million miles away are keen on a certain person's bald patch -sorry he wore a couple of wigs!

September 25, 2005

First of all, a piece of friendly advice: if you haven't already got a ticket to Richard II - GET ONE NOW!!! I've just got home & I'm still trying to absorb what I saw on the Old Vic stage tonight. If there is anyone on the planet who doesn't think Kevin Spacey is one of the finest actors that ever lived,well, they should be dragged to the Old Vic immediately! His is one of the finest performances of a Shakespearean role I have ever seen. You believe he is a king right from the moment he walks on stage; as he is dressed in the robes & the crown there is no doubt that this man also believes he is a king & has a divine right to be a king. His pride & arrogance are total, which makes his fall even more powerful. His astonishment & grief at losing his throne & his crown to Bolingbroke is heartbreaking. Naturally, being KS he finds the humour in the part also - after some particularly OTT grovelling from one of his subjects King Richard's reply was merely 'Hmmm', with a sidelong glance at the audience. In other words 'I didn't believe a word of that'! Kevin has obviously worked extremely hard for this role - physically he looks great, with huge energy, (great hairpiece too!), but the mental stamina this role requires is enormous. When he came on at the end to take his bow he looked exhausted - two performances of almost three hours each in one day is a lot! The whole production is excellent - great sets, very interesting use of video screens, (slightly distracting initially), a large cast of superb actors. I could rave about it all night, instead I'll just say; it's a great play, go see it if you can; I'm certainly going back.