Philippa Gregory’s debut play Richard, My Richard

Historical author Philippa Gregory is to make her playwriting debut with an innovative new stage play inspired by Shakespeare’s Richard III.

Richard, My Richard will bring to life one of history’s most twisted and enigmatic characters; a passionate, tender portrait of man in his time, surrounded by the women who determine his fate.

This world premiere, directed by Katie Posner, will launch at Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot 8 – 30 March 2024 before playing from 12 – 27 April at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.

Those on the cast Kyle Rowe as ‘Richard’, Tom Kanji as ‘History’, Tyler Dobbs as ‘George/Buckingham’, Jennifer Matter as ‘Queen’, Olivier Award nominee Tori Burgess as ‘Anne’, Laura Smithers as ‘Margaret’, Matt Concannon as ‘Edward/ Thomas Stanley’ and Mary Savage as ‘Anne’.

With an explosion of tarmac Leicester City Car park erupts and Richard III crashes from his lost tomb to meet the character who has ruined his reputation: History – the record keeper who doesn’t always have his mind on the task.

Richard believes he has risen from the grave to heaven with an unstained conscience, and the awkward task falls to History (sorry History)- to tell the Undead King that all is not as he imagines.

As Richard challenges, History admits he has his own doubts. He is often revered as the bearer of truth. Yet, his perspective is skewed. History overlooks people and stories.
Funny, poignant, and underpinned by the facts of the past, Richard’s secrets may have died with him, here he rises up to tell us the story, his story, History.

Philippa Gregory said: “I was inspired to write this play after having the privilege to attend the internment of Richard lll at Leicester. I wanted to write a play about the real Richard and the people – especially the influential women- around him.

“Then the most important character walked into the play – History – who in an absent-minded moment has given us such a dark picture of the king whose motto was loyalty and whose passion was chivalry.”

For more information and tickets, visit shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk or www.theatreroyal.org