In February, Shakespeare BASH’d—Toronto’s resident barebones, Shakespeare-in-a-bar company—will produce Richard III, Shakespeare’s epic drama about a powerful villain who manipulates his way to the crown.
“This play seems more vital than ever” says director and co-artistic director/co-founder of Julia Nish-Lapidus, “and we’re trying to explore every facet of Shakespeare’s grim, maniacal, and caustic world in Richard.”
Co-artistic director/co-founder James Wallis will take on the title role as the future King. He is joined by some familiar BASH’d faces, including Jennifer Dzialoszynski, Jade Douris, Suzette McCanny, Drew O’Hara, and associate artistic director Catherine Rainville. Also joining the production are Cosette Derome, Shalyn McFaul, Trevor Pease, Kelly Wong, and Joseph Zita.
The production is associate directed by Megan Miles, with graphic design and lighting by Kyle Purcell, fight direction by Nate Bitton, stage management by Christopher Brackett, and movement coaching by Brad Cook.
Richard III opens Tuesday, February 6 and runs until Sunday, February 11, at the Monarch Tavern.
For tickets or more information, visit www.shakespearebashd.com
Fun facts! The cast and creative team answer the question:
“How would Richard III ‘get rid’ of you?”
James Wallis
Richard
Richard would kill me by poisoning my beer. I would graciously accept his gift of beer and die happy, knowing the beer was free.
Joseph Zita
Stanley
Richard would smell my gullible, trusting nature from a mile away. He would probably do away with me by becoming my best friend, only to betray me when I least expect it. If he was pressed for time, he might also try poisoning my morning coffee, or gifting me a fatal but delicious-looking vintage bottle of red wine.
Suzette McCanny
Margaret
If Richard III was going to bump me off and/or rub me out, he would, like the coward he is, sic someone I trusted on me, paying them handsomely to wring my little neck. Oh, did you mean my character? He couldn’t. He is terrified of her.
Trevor Pease
Clarence & King Edward IV
Being a guy who gets incredibly annoying to be around when hungry, I would probably be killed because I either ate Richard’s portion, or was so irritating because my UberEATS was taking their UberASS time that I was beheaded with the utmost immediacy.
Drew O’Hara
Richmond
Oh I would be very easily duped by Richard... I am very trusting. He’d likely talk me into “getting rid” of a bunch of other people for him, before brutally betraying me. I’d never see it coming!
Jennifer Dzialoszynski
Anne
If Richard III decided that he needed to “get rid” of me I think it would start with identity theft. He would make my life a living hell, without me knowing it was him, then publicly spout garbage about how bad people like me are until my head finally exploded.
Shalyn McFaul
Duchess of York
Richard would lure me into a dungeon with 20 cats that hadn’t been fed in weeks. I’m so obsessed with cats that I would still be trying to make friends with them all, despite clearly seeing that they would be my doom. The Death of a Cat Lady.
Kelly Wong
Hastings
I’m such a sucker for games... He’d easily lure me to my execution under the guise of a new escape room he’s built, leaving me to discover that the spike traps and poisonous gas weren’t just high production value.
Catherine Rainville
Elizabeth
Richard would kill me very slowly... with a butter knife.
Cosette Derome
Buckingham
If Richard ever wanted to murder me, all he would have to do is tell me I’m late for a meeting and the guilt would kill me right there on the spot.
Jade Douris
Rivers & Young York
I imagine he would accuse me of being a witch and have me burned at the stake. People really believed in the supernatural in the fifteenth century, and let’s face it, I show all the telltale signs: I am opinionated, and I am a WOMAN, for goodness’ sake!
Julia Nish-Lapidus
Director
I would probably be quickly done away with after correcting Richard’s grammar: suggesting he meant to say “thou” instead of “you.” I’d be dead immediately, but I’d have been right.
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