Watching The White Queen on Sunday evenings, and last week's ending with the princes in the Tower, reminded me of one of the most exciting theatrical events that I have experienced. I cannot believe that is was over twelve years ago, on 30th December 2000, that I went to Stratford to see the RSC perform all three parts of Shakespeare's Henry VI at the Swan Theatre, all on the same day. An award winning production directed by Michael Boyd.
Starting with Part 1 at 10.30am, followed by Part 2 at 3pm and finally Part 3 at 7.30pm. Just enough time in between to refuel. It was a fabulous day, and it was never too much. The audience seemed to form a bond with the actors in what became quite a challenge.
The last scene of the last play takes place in palace with the new King Edward IV on the throne with his brothers, George and Richard, and his wife Elizabeth (the White Queen) and her infant son Edward. Richard has one of the final lines when he speaks directly to the audience (Shakespeare demands an aside) "To say the truth, so Judas kissed his master, And cried - all hail when as he meant - all harm". This was all the more dramatic as Richard was holding the young prince in his arms and showing him to the audience at the same time. Soon to be a prince in the Tower.
It was Aidan McArdle who played Richard, and he continued to do so in Richard III. However there were only a couple of performances of this at Stratford, so I had to go to The Young Vic in London to see it. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy it at all, it seemed very poor after the magic of Stratford.
I had booked to see all the history plays in a series that started in June 2000 with Richard II at The Other Place. This was the RSC's studio come rehearsal space in Stratford. I was on an unreserved banquette on the front row so had actors literally breathing down my neck. At times there felt more actors than there was audience in such a tiny auditorium.
The ticket price for Richard II says £5.00. Talk about value for money.
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