Richard II...

Last night Stuart and I went to see Richard II at the Barbican Theatre in London's glitzy Barbican Centre.

This Royal Shakespeare Company production starred David Tennant as the erstwhile king whose fey elf-like demeanor hid a cruel streak and a firm belief in the Divine Right of Kings. Set in a time when dueling, banishment and confiscation of lands were common place not enough of the former and too much of the latter leads to Richard's undoing.

Originally written as a tragedy it was reclassified as a history. I'm it's a bit of column A, a bit of column B.

Mr Tennant is excellent throughout conveying just the right amount of vulnerability and regal arrogance the role demands. The production itself is fine too with a chorus, musicians and a simple but effective set.

Four stars.

One of my favour Shakespeare speeches is in this play so I was all aquiver when I heard:-

This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.