Houstonians to Face Wrath of Richard III

He's the villain audiences love to hate. Richard, Duke of Gloucester, remains one of the Shakespeare's most memorable (and despicable) characters. This month, Houstonians will experience his wrath during the University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance's (SOTD) production of "Richard III."

The play will be performed Oct. 29 - Nov. 7 in UH's Wortham Theatre.

"Richard III" tells the story of the title character's unscrupulous rise to England's throne and the fate that awaits him once he is crowned king.
"The title character is the grandfather of great villains, everyone from Batman's The Riddler to Gordon Gekko to Michael Corleone," said Jack Young, the play's director and director of SOTD's graduate acting and directing program. "We love to see these people exert their will on the world, mixing guile and smarts and charisma to get their way. Then we get the added pleasure, having vicariously ridden with them to the top, to cut loose from them and see them get their proper rewards in the end."
The character of Richard has become iconic on stage and in film. He's not the prettiest character to depict considering his hunched back and deformed hand, but actors relish the role. Among those who have portrayed him are Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir Ian McKellan, F. Murray Abraham, Al Pacino and Kenneth Branagh. In this production, the title character will be played by Stefan Espinosa, SOTD master of fine arts candidate.

"Richard's charm and guile gives the first half a real comic rush," Young said. "Combined with murders and ghosts and epic curses, it's perfect for the Halloween season, a real Creep Show."

Tickets are $20, $15 for faculty, staff and alumni and $10 for students and seniors. They can be purchased by calling 713-743-2929.

WHAT: "Richard III"
WHEN: 8 p.m., Oct. 29 - 30, Nov. 4, 5, 6
WHERE: Wortham Theatre
University of Houston
Entrance 16 off of Cullen Blvd.
WHO: UH School of Theatre & Dance