Shakespeare’s famous play is coming back to live on a major stage in London. The twist - a women of color is playing the main character: Richard II.
by Ivan Neshev
Produced and staged by Lynette Linton and Adjoa Andoh, who is also playing the role of king Richard, the production is set to play a part in defining a nation’s history.
“As a women of color and also, an actress, for me it’s important to know that we are accepted and offered the chance to go on a bigger stage. To have a voice,” said Ewa Dina, an actress, who is currently playing in show called Custody.
“It is an incredible production and in my opinion it has a very powerful message,”Dina adds.
The play, which tells the story of Richard the Second, King of England, who is imprisoned and murdered, after seizing noble land and uses the money to fund wars, is a play written by William Shakespeare, in 1597.
Played a number of time through the years, this play has never been seen with such an angle. Played only by women of all colours.
“I find this play very powerful,” said Nuria Araujo, a women of color, with strong point of view. “As men used to play all parts in a play back in the days, it is incredible, that things took a turn and we can witness this now,.”
This play has an incredible relevance to all the things we see now. To all the things that are around us at the moment. And Linton and Andoh know that. That is probably the reason why, they decided to highlight certain parts of the play, in contrary of others.
“Adjoa Andoh is a brilliant artist and she did justice to this character,” said Dina. “She is truly an inspiration and the effort she put in this production is huge.”
Being in her 50s, Adjoa Andoh has an amazing career behind her. Whit roles in Doctor Who, the long-running BBC drama Casualty and EastEnders, the actress surely deserves to play the iconic role of Richard II, in this phenomenon, rulebraking play.
“I, honestly, am so happy that we live in a time that this can happen. It is great that people are open for it and find a way to enjoy it and appreciate it,” said Araujo.