Richard III (1592/94): William Shakespeare

Richard III

★★★★

(Iris Theatre, St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, until 25 July 2014)

This is the third production I’ve seen by Iris Theatre, and they never fail to delight. While in previous years I’ve seen them perform light, summery romantic comedies (A Midsummer Night’s Dream and As You Like It), this was my chance to see them tackle something in a darker key. It’s a very topical choice of play, of course: debate is still raging over whether or not the remains discovered in Leicester last year are indeed those of Richard III. I was intrigued to see what Iris, and their director Daniel Winder, would make of the king.

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595/96): William Shakespeare

A Midsummer Night's Dream

★★★★½

(Iris Theatre, St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, 2 July – 6 August)

Certain plays are made to be performed outside, and the garden play par excellence is A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Completely by chance, I spotted the banner for Iris Theatre’s current production in the gardens of St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden.  It sounded like a lovely way to start off the week and, since the weather promised to be fine, I roped in a colleague to come along with me.

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