Rehearsals for the performance Richard II by William Shakespeare, directed by Boris Liješević, have begun at the Yugoslav Drama Theatre.
The play “Richard the Second”, probably written in 1595, belongs to the cycle of Shakespeare’s “historical chronicles,” the so-called “Henriad”, a tetralogy on the rise of the House of Lancaster (“Henry IV” – parts one and two, and “Henry V”).
Through the story of the historical figure of Richard the Second, the dynastic struggles for the throne, his heirs and the political intrigues that had shaped the fates of the characters, Shakespeare gives us a permanent, painful, tragic from time to time, yet by all means modern and relevant testimony to the contradictions of human nature in confrontation with the challenge of power, the acquisition and loss of power, disrupted ethical hierarchies, moral rises and declines.
Although less known and performed more rarely than the famous “Richard the Third”, this play, sometimes also called a tragedy, presents some of the most exciting scenes and the most significant verses of Shakespeare’s works.
Being Shakespeare’s only play exclusively written in verse, “Richard the Second” represents one of the climaxes of the Bard’s literary and theatrical mastery and is certainly a huge challenge for the creators of the future performance.
The dramaturgs are Fedor Šili and Vesna Radovanović, the scenographer is Igor Vasiljev, the costume designer is Marija Marković Milojev, the composers are Sonja Lončar and Andrija Pavlović (LP Duo). The stage movement is shaped by Deneš Debrei, and the stage speech by Ljiljana Mrkić Popović.
The story of power and intrigues features Milan Marić, Vojin Ćetković, Aleksandar Đurica, Anđelika Simić, Sanja Marković, Igor Samobor, Aleksej Bjelogrlić, Danilo Milovanović…
The performance is expected to be premiered on the “Ljuba Tadić” Main Stage towards the end of March.