A new production of Shakespeare's Richard II at London's Bridge Theatre officially opened February 18, and the reviews are in. Two-time Tony winner Nicholas Hytner is at the helm, with the run set to continue through May 10. See what critics had to say about the staging below.
Olivier winner and Wicked film star Jonathan Bailey stars in the title role, opposite Royce Pierreson (The Witcher) as Henry Bullingbrook, Christopher Osikanlu Colquhoun (Absentia) as Earl of Northumberland, Olivia Popica (The Wheel of Time) as Queen Isabel, Amanda Root (Romeo and Juliet) as Alice Green and the Duchess of York, Phoenix Di Sebastiani (The Great) as Thomas Mowbray and Groom, Clive Wood (London’s Burning) as John of Gaun, and Michael Simkins (Guys & Dolls) as the Duke of York.
Also in the company are Adam Best (Peaky Blinders) as Sir John Bagot, Seamus Dillane (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story) as Lord Surrey, Vinnie Heaven (Cowbois) as Aumerle, Jordan Kouamé (Wolf Hall 2) as Sir John Bushy and Harry Percy, Gerard Monaco (A Small Family Business) as Sir Stephen Scroop and Keeper, George Taylor (The Lady In The Van) as Lord Fitzwater, and Badria Timimi (Our Girl) as Abbess of Carlisle. Understudies Emma Bown (Romeo and Juliet), Martin Carroll (Twelfth Night), and Stephan Boyce (Aladdin) round out the company. Casting is by Robert Sterne.
Read the reviews below.
The Independent (Alice Saville)
The Jewish Chronicle (John Nathan)
London Theatre Direct (Sian McBride)
The New York Times (Houman Barekat)*
TimeOut London (Andrzej Lukowski)
*This review may require creating a free account or paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
Richard II is the Bridge Theatre's first production since its highly acclaimed, immersive revival of Guys and Dolls, which completed its more-than-a-year-long run January 4. The history play centers on the precarious moment as England is poised to move from feudalism to modernity, and the charismatic but incendiary King whose political incompetence threatens to wreck it all.
The production also features scenic and costume design by Bob Crowley, lighting design by Bruno Poet, sound design by Carolyn Downing, music by Grant Olding, movement direction by James Cousins, and fight direction by Kate Waters.
Hytner, formerly director of the National, is a two-time Tony and Olivier winner for his productions of Carousel and The History Boys.
