Henry VI Part 3: The Rise of Richard

Posted on by Thor

I was excited to sketch a performance of Henry VI: The Rise of Richard at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL). I sat in row  Z. Ushers were confused, they didn’t realize there was a row Z.  I found a spot in the back and scooted to a ¾ view of the stage just before the show opened when I was sure that there was an open spot for me. Where I was seated was perfect because there was no one behind me who might be distracted as I threw lines o the page.

The sketch is a composite rather than a specific moment in the play. I sketched Richard Duke of York (Timothy Williams) when he claimed his seat at the throne. Beside him is The Earl of Warwick Richard Nevelle “the King Maker”, (Benjamin Reigel). Standing in front of them both is the twisted and hunched  Richard III, Duke of Gloucester (Mark McClain Wilson).

The drama unfolded between the House of York (White Rose) and the House of Lancaster (Red Rose). The crown changed hands multiple times. Ascending to claim the crown was often a murderous affair. King Henry VI of the House of Lancaster (Trevor Spence) was a rather weak and pious ruler. He rose to power as a child. He was ultimately captured imprisoned and then murdered. Murder seems to be a sure way to rise to the claim the crown and sit on the throne.

The hunchback Richard III played supporting roles when his brothers rose in power to claim the crown. However he despised the happiness of his brother Edward (Walter Kmiec) who married  the beautiful Lady Grey (Rachel Comeau). The couple had a child and that child would have a claim to the throne someday. If Richard could not experience happiness and romance, then he would instead scheme and find a murderous way to rise to claim the throne. When Edward died, Richard realized the infant would have to be murdered. That would open his path to claiming the crown. As a king in 1450s England you would always have to watch your back.

There are only 2 more performances of Henry VI The Rise of Richard! Be sure to get your tickets to see who claims the throne.

Henry IV

Posted on by Thor

Henry IV Part 1 by William Shakespeare is at the Orlando Shakes through March 21, 2020. Some back story is needed to set the stage. Henry IV (Jim Ireland) took the throne from his corrupt and indecisive eldest brother Richard II. King Henry IV’s eldest son was Prince Hal (Benjamin Bonefant). Though he should be destined to one day take his father’s throne, he instead spent his time hanging out with very fat and disorderly Falstaff (Philip Nolan). Hal spends his time drinking and womanizing and the occasional highway theft, much to his fathers annoyance.

Meanwhile Edmund Mortimer (Cameron Grey) the leader of Henry IV’s army is captured in Wales by the Welsh rebel fighter Glendower (Brandon Roberts). Hotspur (Walter Kmiec) of the Percy family helped King Henry IV overthrow Richard II. But the new king never paid his debt and for this reason, Edmund was held ransom. The king refused since he found out Edmund had turned traitor and married the rebel’s daughter. Edmund’s daughter was married to Hotspur who was a hot blooded and very angry cousin to King Henry IV.  He formed an alliance with is uncle and the rebels to overthrow king Henry IV.

On the battlefield the alliance fell apart in that the rebels and Hotspur’s own father (Rodney Lizcano) never showed up for battle, leaving them hopelessly outnumbered by King Henry IV’s forces. Hotspur’s uncle went to the king for a parley and the king offers a pardon to Hotspur. This messages was never relayed and so battle ensues. It seems like dozens of sword fight broke out on stage all at once.

The wayward son Hal joined his father and in the end saved the day. Falstaff on the other hand stayed true to his debauchery ways, hiding to avoid fighting and then taking credit for Hals handiwork. His monologues about how useless Honor is on the battlefield are for me some of the most memorable and moving accounts of what it means to be human and alive. Just keeping track of the family tree is a feat unto itself but the action and drama are universal.

The bottom line is that this was a fun evening of theater.

Tickets are $32 to 57

The remaining show times…

Wednesday, March 4, 2020 – 2:00 PM – Senior Matinee

Wednesday, March 4, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Saturday, March 7, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Sunday, March 8, 2020 – 2:00 PM – Talk back Performance

Wednesday, March 11, 2020 – 2:00 PM – Senior Matinee

Sunday, March 15, 2020 – 2:00 PM

Friday, March 20, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Saturday, March 21, 2020 – 2:00 PM

Saturday, March 21, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Three Musketeers

Posted on by Thor

Three Musketeers written by Catherine Bush and adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas is a
witty and action packed swashbuckler following the friendship of
young d’Artagnan (Benjamin Bonenfant) and his band of Musketeers as they fight to protect the
ones they love from the evil Cardinal Richelieu (Anne Hering) it is story of double crossings, kidnappings, and carefully guarded secrets, complete with lavish sword fights and sweeping romance, set in a time when love and honor ruled the world. It is playing at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater (812 E Rollins St Orlando, FL 32803) through March 22, 2020.

The Three Musketeers, Porthos (Rodney Lizcano), Anthos (Timothy Williams) and Aramis (Walter Kmiec) at first seem irresponsible by getting into a drunken brawl, but d’Artagnan added a blush of romance and camaraderie to the group when he assisted them in a sword fight. Monsieur de Treville (Phillip Nolan) was responsible for keeping the Musketeers in line and his assistant Planchet (Brandon Roberts) added comic relief to every scene he was in.

The spiral staircase center stage rotates creating a wide a variety of scene changes. At one point there is a sword fight on the stairs as they rotated which was visually thrilling. I had to commit to one setting for my sketch, ignoring the staircase when it moved or disappeared altogether.

It turned out that one of the Musketeers X wife, Milady De Winter (Tracy Lane) was the most deadly villain in the show. She could be sweet and cultured and then stab you in the heart while offering a kiss. The show kept a fevered pace and was a delight to watch.

Here are the remaining show dates…

Tickets are $27 to $36.

Saturday, February 8, 2020 – 2:00 PM

Saturday, February 8, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Sunday, February 9, 2020 – 2:00 PM

Wednesday, February 12, 2020 – 2:00 PM – Senior Matinee

Wednesday, February 12, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Thursday, February 13, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Wednesday, February 26, 2020 – 2:00 PM – Senior Matinee

Wednesday, February 26, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Saturday, February 29, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Sunday, March 1, 2020 – 2:00 PM – Talk back Performance

Thursday, March 5, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Friday, March 6, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Friday, March 13, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Saturday, March 14, 2020 – 2:00 PM

Saturday, March 14, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Wednesday, March 18, 2020 – 2:00 PM – Senior Matinee

Thursday, March 19, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Sunday, March 22, 2020 – 2:00 PM