“Redacted Richard III” Inspirations
In Edwin Austin Abbey’s painting, “Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and the Lady Anne”, (1896) which hangs at the Yale University Art Gallery, there are figures of young children which were an inspiration for this production.
The costuming in the picture of the people behind Richard and Anne was an inspiration for this production. Hooded Capes.
The way the people are gathered and walking in the painting is reminiscent of a Greek Chorus. Greek elements of theatre were an inspiration to this production.
The pikes in the picture reminded me of the Japanese Bo (staff) which inspired me to ask a martial artist to give a staff workshop. More inspiration.
And finally the script of Richard III by William Shakespeare was also a good place for inspirations. Within this script there stood an argument by Richard with Richard and through Richard. This reminded me of the book, The Minds of Billy Milligan who was a multiple personality victim of social importance. A multiple personality. This made sense for Richard. So I had three people playing Richard, often at the same time.
Another threesome inspiration: the three witches from MacBeth ala Shakespeare.
And any totalitarian principles, whether conducted by dictatorships or democracies, including manipulations of religion, information, fear, prestige, murder, all serve as driving forces for visual and physical representation reinforced by the words. I highly recommend Jan Kott’s book “Shakespeare, Our Contemporary” for reference.
Inspirations are not instantaneous or complete upon first contact. They are accumulative and ideas influence ideas that will influence ideas. Classical theater resonates through centuries, threading a human condition that pulls us into its core and need to be adapted for the living times.
Ideas are not planted; they are nurtured. This idea is an inspiration to me.
Larry Hunt
Director |
