Richard of Gloucester's bid for the crown begins by wooing a lady over her husband's corpse.

That's already awfully nasty and, if you know the play, you'll be aware that he only stoops lower from there.

The cast for this show is good, on the whole. Rob Maloney's Richard is decent but sometimes comes across more as a huckster than a master manipulator.

There are some good scenes well played, in particular the one before the final battle when the ghosts of past double-crossings torment a despondent Richard.

Consult a synopsis if it's been a while since your last encounter with this play, as the intricate plot and doubling of characters can make things confusing at times.

This isn't a standout production but it's a reasonable bet for fans of Shakespeare, or a good villain.

  • Until May 19 (not 7 or 14). Call 01273 709709