Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Austin Pendleton’s austere, finely-acted WAR OF THE ROSES joins this summer’s other Richard III portraits

• By drediman
• August 14, 2018
• No Comments

Matt de Rogatis and Austin Pendleton in “War of the Roses: Henry VI & Richard III”, at 124 Bank Street Theatre, courtesy of Ruth Stage. Photo by Chris Loupos.

That most wicked of villainous kings Richard III is having quite the summer here in New York, where he’s being represented in three unorthodox productions. Not only is he highlighted in Austin Pendleton’s finely-acted and effectively austere War of the Roses: Henry VI & Richard III – which I recently saw at 124 Bank Street Theatre courtesy of Ruth Stage – Richard is also heavily featured in NAATCO’s upcoming all-Asian American version of the Henry VI trilogy entitled Foreign Fire and Civil Strife (running in repertory, these two shows depict Richard’s rise to power), as well as Mike Lew’s entertaining loose adaptation Teenage Dick for Ma-Yi Theater Company. The latter in particular – which envisions Richard as a vengeful disabled high school student – has been a big hit, selling out its run at the Public Theater.

But back to Mr. Pendleton’s War of the Roses. I’ve long thought that Richard III starts off a bit jarringly; we’re essentially thrown into the midst of an ongoing family feud, the famously-named War of the Roses between the houses of Lancaster and York. By smartly commencing with events in the latter portion of the Bard’s Henry VI trilogy, the audience is properly introduced to the characters that would play so prominently in Richard III, as well as to their respective histories and motivations/allegiances. Mr. Pendleton has also judiciously edited Richard III, therefore collectively uncovering a comprehensive but piercing psychological portrait of a man and his immediate circle of unspeakable injuries.

Mr. Pendleton, one of the treasures of the American stage, also directs in a manner that initially calls to mind a staged reading, albeit carefully studied and firmly paced. Whether by necessity or by choice (or both), this minimalist approach ultimately works brilliantly, persuasively directing our focus to Richard’s volatile yet fascinating inner life. Although much of the acting is uncommonly strong – especially from Mr. Pendleton’s resigned Henry VI (completing the tireless man’s trio of heavy lifting duties), Matt de Rogatis’s seductive yet forceful Richard III, and the trio of superb actresses (Carolyn Groves, Johanna Leister, Rachel Marcus) playing the strong, wronged women in Richard’s life – some of the younger actors were apparently still wet behind the ears. Despite some unevenness in the acting department, luckily in the smaller parts, Mr. Pendleton’s thoughtfully curated version of “Richard III” is well worth a visit.

RECOMMENDED 

WAR OF THE ROSES: HENRY VI & RICHARD III
Off-Broadway, Play
Ruth Stage at 124 Bank Street Theatre
3 hours, 10 minutes (including one intermission)
Through August 19