Richard III (an all female staging)
by Last Act Theater Company
Mar. 13 - Mar. 15 (2017)
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is determined to gain the crown of England from his brother, the Yorkist King Edward IV. He woos the widow, Lady Ann at the funeral of her father-in-law, King Henry VI. She yields to his advances and marries him. In the meantime, Richard organises the murder of his brother George, Duke of Clarence, whom he has had imprisoned in the Tower of London.
The king, Edward IV is ill and Richard, assisted by Lord Hastings, is appointed as regent. He places the young sons of Edward in the Tower and consolidates his power with the help of Buckingham, who gains the support of the Lord Mayor of London and his followers on Richard’s behalf. The king dies and Richard is proclaimed king. He has Hastings executed for attempting to frustrate his plans. The young princes are murdered in the Tower. Edward’s widow, Elizabeth, with the sons of her first marriage, fearing for their lives, flee. Buckingham is suspicious of Richard’s role in the murder of the young princes. He tries to blackmail Richard, demanding an earldom, and when his demand is denied he tries to raise an army against Richard. He is captured and executed. Richard plans to marry Edward IV’s daughter, Elizabeth.
Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, the heir to the Lancastrian claim to the throne, makes war on Richard. They meet at Bosworth. On the eve of the battle Richard is haunted by the ghosts of his victims. He is killed in the battle and Henry Tudor succeeds him, becoming Henry VII of England. The play ends with him planning to marry Elizabeth of York and end the Wars of the Roses.
-- synopsis via nosweatshakespeare.om
Ladies of Austin! Have you ever wished there were more roles for women in Shakespeare? Here’s your chance to take over the whole damn thing. Last Act Theatre Company announces auditions for its all-female Richard III! In an era of political uncertainty, a charismatic villain takes over the throne through nefarious manipulation of the the public. Chaos, murder, and war ensue.
Rehearsals begin June 12. The show runs July 13-16, 20-23, and 27-30. Auditions will be held Monday, March 13 and Wednesday, March 15, 6-10pm at the Dougherty Arts Center. We seek women of all ethnicities, ages, abilities, sizes, etc. Anyone who identifies as female is welcome! All roles are paid.
Prepare a 1-minute Shakespearean monologue and be ready to read sides. The show will be directed by Deb Streusand, who is Artistic Director of Something for Nothing Theater. In addition to the cast, the entire artistic and technical team will be as female as well. This experience will be a unique one – don’t miss it!
Email info@lastacttheatre.com to sign up for a time slot.
[image: reconstructed bust of Richard III via Richard III Society]
