by Rose Rushe
Photo: Matthew Thompson
BEING close to six hours on stage after two hours rigorous prep – head shave, bigged-up brows, skin pallor – takes a lot to deliver. Actor Marty Rea is playing Richard 11 and other characters that make up DruidShakespeare’s Henriad plays, which have to do with English forays here.
This quartet runs in the chronological sequence of ‘Richard 11, ‘Henry IV pt 1, ‘Henry IV pt 2’ and ‘Henry V’.
Garry Hynes directs and Druid’s golden boy Rea sounds as he admits, “knackered, absolutely knackered” from the Gothic fervour. At his Letterkenny base he gives insight into what is being done with this suite of works by playwright Mark O’Rowe whittling down Shakespeare’s text.
Rea is one of a cast of 13. Other than regent humpback, he turns out as Francois the barman in the middle Henrys and the Bishop in ‘Henry V’.
He has chosen to round on Richard’s childlike qualities, fostered heavily by court indulgence. “I’ve always said he was like Michael Jackson. Richard was put on the throne at seven years of age, his uncles ran the country until he could take things in hand. Everyone told him he was God’s choice”.
Photo: Matthew Thompson
Rea invokes Jackson’s strangeness, and his ability to sublimate decent behaviour from an exalted platform. When I suggest a crisis of sexuality, the Belfast man refers to Baggott’s dig at Richard before this royal favourite was hacked in the neck, about keeping the Queen from His bed.
Of Hynes’ direction (Tony award winning), Marty Rea underlines the undertaking it has been. She was in talks with Druid and O’Rowe while DruidMurphy came to town and other parts three years ago.
“Garry is so brilliant with text, the writer is always present in the room with her”.
Shakespeare or O’Rowe? “I suppose I mean Shakespeare, and Mark as well, the way he has shaped and edited.. the way [the plays] have been designed are his way”.
Aisling O’Sullivan and Derbhle Crotty don the mantle of kings in what critics are hailing as splendid visionary theatre. The cast list embraces Bosco Hogan, Garrett Lombard, Marie Mullen, Rory Nolan and more.
This Galway company brings its tour to Limerick June 23 to 27; see www.limetreetheatre.ie for the staggered staging pattern required.
Photo: Matthew Thompson
