Three versions of Richard III — Sir Ian McKellen (1970 TV), Sir Derek Jacobi (1978 TV) and Fiona Shaw (1997 TV) — are utilized in explorations of various issues in casting Shakespeare’s young king. It certainly remains to this day Shakespeare’s most politically controversial play. Part I: Part II: Part III:
Description:
Clips from three versions — Sir Ian McKellen (1970 TV), Sir Derek Jacobi (1978 TV) and Fiona Shaw (1997 TV) — are utilized in explorations of various issues in casting Shakespeare’s young king.
commentary by Jerry Brotton, Royal Holloway, University of London…and Wendy Spon, Head of Casting at the Royal National Theatre.
Ian McKellen … Richard II
Timothy West … Bolingbroke
Directed by Richard Cottrell and Toby Robertson for early (1970) BBC colour transmission.
This is about the youngest Ian McKellen (age 31 in ’70) we can view. He did have some parts in movies released in 1969. McKellen’s earliest film/TV credits are for some TV work in 1964 and ’65 which I bet would be very difficult to locate and view now.
Ian McKellen also performed, on TV in early 70s, George Tesman in “Hedda Gabler” with Janet Suzman, a Hamlet, a one-man show on Keats, and starred in Marlowe’s “Edward II”. These are begging for DVD release!
Charles Gray … Duke of York
Derek Jacobi … Richard II
John Gielgud … John of Gaunt
Director: David Giles
Fiona Shaw … Richard II
Richard Bremmer … Henry Bolingbroke
Directed by Deborah Warner for TV, 1997.
King Richard the Second, a history play by William Shakespeare, is called “The tragedie of King Richard the second” in the 1597 Quarto.
Related Blog:
In Memoriam …Rest In Peace My King …
