Richard II

In his last production as Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, Michael Grandage was faithful to his own style, and approached this final Shakespeare venture by trusting the same reliable resources that he has made his own: a strong and balanced ensemble of actors; an uncomplicated yet beautiful set, lighting, and sound design; lavishly crafted period costume; and a solid direction. The atmosphere of ritualistic ceremony was enhanced by several elements: three great iron candelabra were lit upstage, a heavy scent of incense filled the air, a bell tolled in the distance, and the three gothic arches that dominated the set shone with a warm golden light, reflected on the balustrade of the upper playing space-a gallery connected to the main thrust stage by a staircase upstage left. [...]the King opened his eyes and rose. In the subsequent deposition scene (4.1), Bolingbroke, standing at the side of the coronation chair placed center stage, spoke with great authority, as if he were king already, while Richard, still mockingly defiant, appeared for the last time at the central spot in the gallery, finally acknowledging his downfall by descending the stairs to the stage.