Henry VI Part 3: The Rise of Richard is being performed at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater (812 Rollins Street Orlando FL) through April 19, 2026.
I went to a performance and had a great time.
Having won the battle of St. Albins, Richard the Duke of York descended to the throne of England. Later York is killed in battle. His son Edward the Black Prince took the crown and soon died as well.
The murdered king Richard had three sons, Edward IV, George Duke of Clarence, and Richard III.
Richard III was who I put on the poster. Richard III was just one of many who were in the whirlwind of deceptions and murder leading to the crown. The crown changed hands multiple times between King Henry VI who was pious and weak willed, and Edward who was the oldest son of York.
The only way to keep track of all the players in the war of the roses was to follow the family tree in the program and a chart summarizing who supported who in the power struggle. Though on the sidelines through much of the play, it became clear that the misshapen Richard III was willing to do anything to ascend to the thrown. The path to the throne would be bathed in blood.
When you enter the theater, you are given a sticker with a white or red rose on it. The white rose shows that you side with the House of York and a red rose shows that you support The House of Lancaster. At time in the show armies would rush down the aisles of the theater shouting White Rose, or Red Rose! Members of the audience would shout back in response. The play is mostly about a dysfunctional family who use murder to gain power and the crown. Pick you family crest wisely.
Tickets can be found of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater website.