William Shakespeare's Richard III will be performed by the renowned five-member British touring group, Actors From The London Stage (AFTLS) October 12, 13, and 14 at Notre Dame's Washington Hall. Founded by Homer "Murph" Swander, Sir Patrick, Stewart, and members of the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1975, AFTLS has been visiting university campuses for week-long residencies ever since. There are two details that make this tour special," says Scott Jackson, executive director of Shakespeare at Notre Dame, AFTLS;s American home. "This is the first time that AFTLS has adapted a history and utilized gender-fluid casting."
Considered one of Shakespeare's masterpieces, Richard's villainous rise to power is a cautionary tale of corruption and intrigue. But, according to Jackson, "Richard III is a tragedy that makes us root for the villain,. Shakespeare introduces audiences to the antihero, admired and despised in equal measure." In this AFTLS production, the titular arch-villain is played by actress Liz Crowther, and the four woman, one man troupe creates a cast of over two dozen characters. " We use sticks and cloth and the barest of props, costumes and lights," says Crowther. "We're aiming for clarity, excitement, and simple true storytelling. We sing, we dance, we fight, we multiply ourselves but mostly we rouse with Shakespeare's beautiful words."
Performance Location Dates and Times: Washington Hall on the Campus of the University of Notre Dame Wednesday, Oct 12; Thursday, Oct 13; and Friday, Oct 14 at 7:30 pm. Tickets: Regular $25, Student $12, Under - 18 FREE with regular ticket purchase (limit five). (Due to adult themes, Richard III is not recommended for children under 10) Visit HEREfor tickets or call 574-631-2800.
Hailing from such prestigious UK companies as Shakespeare's Globe, the National Theatre, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, AFTLS actors are uniquely prepared for their week-long dual focus residency. During their Notre Dame residency, they not only present three performances of Richard III, but also visit dozens of classrooms for text-focused workshops.
In addition to enlivening theatre and English departments, the AFTLS experience is tailored to enrich coursework across the academic spectrum. Their dynamic, hands-on approach heightens students' intellectual curiosity regardless of discipline. Whether coaching accounting students on successful presentation skills, or instructing law students in the art of persuasion, these workshops promote a campus-wide dialogue inspired by the works of William Shakespeare.
Actors From The London Stage is one component of Shakespeare at Notre Dame, a program that also includes the McMeel Family Chair in Shakespeare Studies and the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, the University of Notre Dame's professional theatre in residence. The mission of Shakespeare at Notre Dame is to establish the University nationally and internationally as a center for the study of Shakespeare in performance.