1 Education Pack Northern Broadsides © 2006

Home , Looking for Richard

sources that were biased in favour of the Introduction Tudors This pack is designed as a useful aid to Sources Key Stages 3 & 4 English Literature, Henry VI Parts I, II & III were mainly History, Drama, PHSE and Citizenship. adapted from the histories Chronicles of It accompanies the Northern Broadsides’ England, Scotland and Ireland (1587) by workshops and gives a detailed insight Raphael Hollinshed and from Edward into the 2006 touring production of The Halles’ Union of The Two Noble and Wars of the Roses adapted and directed Illustrious Families of Lancaster and York by Barrie Rutter. The purpose of the (1548). Shakespeare also referred to workshop is to provide some useful tools Robert Fabyan’s Chronicles of England for looking at the plays. Whilst this and France (1516) for Henry VI part I and workshop will not help directly to answer for Richard III Thomas More’s History of GCSE English questions it will hopefully King Richard III (1513). For particular provide ways of making the text and the scenes he may have also referred to The show more interesting and accessible. Mirror of Magistrates and John Foxe’s

Book of Martyrs (1583). The plays also For more information on the process of demonstrate influences from production please refer to Stagework Shakespeare’s contemporaries Thomas www.stagework.org a website resource Kyd and Christopher Marlowe and containing a diary and interviews with cast classical influences from Seneca Roman and crew. tragedies. Wars of the Roses Dates This period of England’s history (1455- 1487) was rife with violence and treachery The plays are often called the first as the two leading houses of Plantagenet tetralogy of the history plays. They were (York) and Lancaster, fought for the written out of chronological sequence (like crown. the Star Wars film saga). The dates are still being contested, as the records of Shakespeare dealt with this period of Phillip Henslowe (owner of The Rose history in two cycles; the first tetralogy Theatre) and the account by Thomas (Henry VI I, II & III and Richard III) and the Nash (one of Shakespeare’s second tetralogy (Richard II, Henry IV I & contemporaries) are very vague. II and Henry V). Shakespeare’s history cycle started with the deposition of The first cycle was probably written due to Richard II and followed the pattern of the success of Henry VI part II (or The regicide up to Henry VII (Elizabeth I’s First Part of the Contention of the Two grandfather). The pattern of war and Famous Houses of York and Lancaster) in bloodshed and the pendulous movement 1590-91. He then wrote Henry VI part III of power created an epic drama. (or The True Tragedy of Richard Duke of York and the Good King Henry The Sixth) Sir Walter Scott was the first to coin in 1592 shortly followed by Henry VI part I the phrase “Wars of the Roses” to (or The First Part of Henry The Sixth) in describe the war between the 1592. Richard III or The Tragedy of King houses of York and Lancaster in his Richard III the final in the sequence is 1829 book Anne of Geierstein. estimated as being written in 1592-93.

Shakespeare’s Time The Plantagenet monarchy preceded the William Shakespeare (1564 –1616) is now Tudor dynasty, the period in which regarded as one of the world’s great Shakespeare wrote. Therefore dramatists. He began his writing career in Shakespeare’s history cycles have a very the late 1580’s early 1590s writing poems pro Tudor slant and were based on and plays. The records are extremely 2

hazy of how he became involved with the theatre. A modern equivalent in theatre, or even whether he started out as subject matter and popularity of these an actor. His first history cycle (Henry VI plays would be the films of Quentin parts I, II & III and Richard III) really Tarantino and the Godfather trilogy with launched his career in 1592. It is generally its blood, guts and gore content. thought these plays were staged at The Rose theatre owned by Phillip Henslowe and then possibly toured (due to the plague that closed London theatres in History/Propaganda 1592). These plays were unlike anything Shakespeare’s Wars of the Roses plays seen before and very ambitious for such a were totally biased in favour of the young writer (he was 28 at the time). No reigning Tudors and certainly have to Tudor Century establish some Tudor myths. Historians and historical societies now largely 1509 - Mary 1 born to Henry VIII & contest these myths. Subsequent Catherine Aragon research and new historicism into the 1533 - Elizabeth I born to Henry VIII & period reveal discrepancies and new Anne Boleyn information from other sources. In the last 1536 - Mary and Elizabeth proclaimed century the Richardians have emerged, a illegitimate by Parliament society who defend Richard III’s 1537 - Edward VI born to Henry VIII & reputation. Shakespeare, using his artistic Jane Seymore licence, portrayed Richard III as a 1546 - Henry VIII dies monstrous villain whereas historical Edward VI crowned evidence would imply the contrary. By 1553 - Edward VI dies following Tudor propaganda and Lady Jane Grey proclaimed portraying Richmond or Henry Tudor Queen for 10 days favourably in comparison to Richard III Mary I proclaimed Queen Shakespeare manoeuvred his way 1554 - Lady Jane Grey executed through censorship, which would have Elizabeth imprisoned in the been fairly strict at the time. He would Tower for 2 months have also gained a favourable reputation 1558 - Mary I dies and even possible support from Elizabeth Elizabeth I crowned I. 1567 - Mary Queen of Scots imprisoned

1587 - Mary Queen of Scots executed The plays encouraged a sense of 1588 - The Spanish Armada nationalism and set a good example. They 1592 - The Rose Theatre opens 1592/93 Henry VI parts I, II & III staged 1603 - Elizabeth I dies Chat/Action point

one had staged a play based on English How much can history be relied history and though Christopher Marlowe on as fact? Think about how myths had written a prequel to his Tamburlaine and history is retold. The Great (1587-88), no one had written a cycle of plays on so epic a scale. They Play a game of Chinese whispers would have been very popular because of and sees how much a phrase can the contemporary relevance, namely the change. Now imagine how a whole audience would know most of the stories story or version of events can depicted and also would probably have change. seen similarities in their recent history. They also depicted a great cross section Where do you think the line is of English characters from the nobility to between history and fiction? the commoners. It was extremely popular and even stood up to the competition of Stage a debate between two the bear baiting and cock fighting that was political parties one for the Tudor performed in the local area surrounding dynasty one for the Plantagenet to see which is worthier to rule. 3 depicted the previous dynasty as rife with Modern politicians war, bloodshed, greed and treachery. Not only did the plays paint the previous Think about how much political parties dynasty negatively, they also set a and their media supporters slur the contemporary example for the audience. opposing party policies and actions. How That even though Elizabeth’s reign was spin-doctors manipulate public opinion. questionable (the problems with Mary Could you argue that Shakespeare’s Queen of Scots and her illegitimate status Wars of the Roses could be seen as the according to the Pope) it was better that equivalent of modern party political this was left unchallenged, than throw the broadcasts? kingdom into yet another bloody civil war. Do you think Shakespeare was a spin- It also demonstrated the different levels of doctor? dissension amongst the populace, the Think of the past advertising campaigns damage that had been caused, and could of the conservative and labour parties. yet again ensue. What about the famous “devil eyed” Tony Blair or how Margaret Thatcher was labelled “the iron lady”.

2001 Conserative Campaign 1

Synopsis Their bickering leads to a crucial delay in Barrie Rutter, artistic director of Northern sending troops to France and Talbot dies Broadsides has adapted the four plays of when the much needed soldiers never Henry VI Parts I, II, & III and Richard III arrive. into three plays cutting rather than rewriting the texts. They focus on the Meantime, the Duke of Gloucester - Uncle actual Wars of the Roses, have a clearer and protector to the King - is trying to set narrative progression and focus on the up a match between Henry and the kings themselves. Here are the synopses daughter of a French lord in order to forge of his trilogy Henry VI, Edward IV and a peace between England and France. Richard III. The Earl of Suffolk, however, persuades Henry to marry Margaret of Anjou hoping Henry VI to use her to control the King.

King Henry V has died and a young Henry Winchester – the ambitious leader of the VI ascends the throne of England and Church - accuses Gloucester of wanting various regions in France won by his to be sole advisor to Henry, control him father. and eventually take over the kingdom. He

grudgingly agrees to get along with The young and inexperienced Henry faces Gloucester temporarily, but purchases the great difficulties with his advisors and title of Cardinal, secretly swearing no-one nobles, many of whom are involved in will have more power in the kingdom than arguments and feuds with each other - he. notably between the factions of York and

Lancaster. England under Henry thus descends into

chaos. He governs poorly and is unable to The French attack Lord Talbot at the exert his authority as King. The siege of Orleans and drive the English Lancastrians plot to get rid of Gloucester army towards the sea. However, the (who is the next in line to the throne) and valiant Talbot manages to retake the city enlist the help of the ambitious Queen by night in a surprise attack. Margaret who wants to dominate the weak

King. Gloucester’s wife is lured into In England, Richard Plantagenet (of the dabbling illegally in necromancy and is House of York) and the Duke of Somerset then arrested, to the embarrassment of have a disagreement over a legal matter her husband who is subsequently and ask others present to show their dismissed as Protector. Gloucester is support for their respective positions: then accused of treason, imprisoned and those supporting Richard pick a white assassinated by agents of Suffolk and the rose, those who support Somerset pick a Queen, leaving Henry to the wolves. red one. Warwick accurately predicts that the argument, though begun over Meanwhile, York schemes to make something small, will end in the deaths of himself King. He takes command of an thousands. army to suppress a revolt in Ireland and

enlists former officer, Jack Cade, to lead a Richard seeks the counsel of his Uncle, rebellion in his absence that threatens the Edward Mortimer, and becomes whole kingdom. York’s plan is to then convinced that the throne more rightfully return from Ireland and use his army to belongs to the House of York than Henry. seize the throne. He persuades Henry to restore his titles and is made Duke of York (hereafter referred to as York). Edward IV

Back in France, Joan of Arc battles the The chaos continues as Cade stirs up English and drives them from Rouen. rebellion. Speaking to his rogue army of Henry appoints the bitter opponents York commoners, he claims to be heir to the and Somerset to reinforce Talbot in battle. throne and defeats the English army. 5

Henry flees London as Cade attacks. With Edward as King, his brother Richard However, once in London, his rabble army (later Richard III) becomes Duke of is persuaded to abandon Cade in favour Gloucester and George, his other brother, of Henry. Cade flees and is subsequently becomes Duke of Clarence. killed, but Henry’s troubles are not over as York’s army moves in from Ireland. Warwick goes to France to make arrangements for Edward to marry Lady York accuses Somerset of being a traitor Bona – the sister of the King of France – and demands his imprisonment. Henry in order to forge an allegiance with the agrees but then goes back on his word. French. However, in his absence, Edward Furious, York pronounces Henry a weak ill advisedly marries the widowed Lady King and declares himself the rightful heir Grey who becomes Queen. Warwick is to the throne. Somerset orders York’s so incensed at this that he changes sides arrest. Salisbury and Warwick declare and tells Margaret he wishes to help place their allegiance to York. The court is Henry back on the throne. Many of divided and Henry agrees there is nothing Edwards’s followers are also unhappy left to do but fight. The Wars of the Roses with this marriage. His own brother, between the Lancastrians and the George, joins Margaret, whilst Richard Yorkists begins. stands by his brother, but only because he is plotting to overthrow Edward to claim York defeats the English army and the throne. declares victory. He enters London. However, when confronted by Henry, he Warwick returns to England with an army swears not to take the crown until Henry from France, captures Edward and dies peacefully on the proviso that his restores Henry to the throne. Helped by family are named as rightful heirs to the his brother Richard, Edward escapes to throne. Queen Margaret is furious at her raise an army and reclaim the throne. weak husband. Appalled, she heads for Henry is imprisoned once more. Warwick, France with their disinherited son, Prince joined by another army brought by Edward, declaring war on the Yorkists. Margaret, engages Edward and Richard in York’s sons berate their father for not battle in Coventry. Margaret’s sons are immediately taking the throne. killed. Richard returns to London and kills Henry. Edward is restored to the throne Richard convinces his father that his oath with Margaret exiled in France and not to harm Henry is void because a Richard lying in wait to take the crown. magistrate wasn’t present when sworn. However, Edward’s wife has just given York plans to go back on his word, attack birth to a son, the future King Edward V of Henry and take back the crown. England. How will this impact on Richard However, Margaret returns with a French ambitions? army and kills York at the Battle of Wakefield. Richard III Warwick – a follower of York – believes After years of civil unrest between the that they, the Yorkists, can still win and royal houses of York and Lancaster, Edward (the eldest), who has now England enjoys a period of peace under become Duke of York following his King Edward IV. However, his brother father’s death, can claim the crown. The Richard – Duke of Gloucester – resents two armies meet and the Yorkists win. Edward’s power and the happiness of Queen Margaret flees back to France with those around him. He continues to aspire her son and Henry – who simply watched secretly to the throne and decides to kill rather than fought in the battle - is anyone he has to in order to become captured and imprisoned. Edward, Duke King. of York, is proclaimed King Edward VI. Richard decides he needs a wife and manipulates Lady Anne - widow of Henry 6

VI’s heir - to marry him, even though she Richard plans to marry young Elizabeth – knows he murdered her first husband. He the daughter of the former Queen has his older brother Clarence executed Elizabeth and dead King Edward. and shifts the burden of guilt onto his sick However, Queen Elizabeth forestalls him brother King Edward in order to accelerate and secretly promises her daughter to his illness and death. The strategy works. Richmond. On hearing of Clarence’s murder, Edward dies. Richard takes on the role of Lord Richard now finds himself with few Protector and sends Edward’s two sons to supporters and has alienated everyone the Tower, supposedly for safe keeping to around him. In one final ruthless act, he await coronation. captures his former friend Buckingham and has him beheaded. Edward’s widow, Queen Elizabeth, mistrusts Richard and is proved right. Richmond and his army arrive in England Richard kills court noblemen who are loyal and the two armies camp close at to the child princes including Lord Bosworth Field. The night before the Hastings, the lord chamberlain of Battle of Bosworth, the ghosts of his England. He then has the boy’s relatives victims torment Richard in his dreams and on their mother’s side arrested and tell him he will die. executed. With Elizabeth and the princes now unprotected, Richard rallies his The next day, Henry Tudor’s forces defeat political allies, particularly Lord Richard’s army. Henry slays Richard and Buckingham, to campaign to have him claims the throne as Henry VII. Promising crowned King. a new era of peace, he announces he will marry Elizabeth of York, thus uniting the The Duke of Buckingham becomes white rose (the Yorkists) and the red rose Richard’s chief advisor and together they (The Lancastrians) and commencing a mastermind and manipulate Richard’s mighty Tudor reign. accession to the throne. Richard promises Buckingham an earldom for his help but refuses to grant it when Buckingham won’t kill the princes held in the Tower. After an easy manipulation of London’s political leaders, an even simpler exploitation of the clergy and a clever planting of insinuations regarding the bastardy of Edward IV and his children, Richard ascends the throne. His first act as king is to kill his wife and send assassins to kill to the two young princes in the Tower.

By this time, Richard’s reign of terror has caused the common people of England to fear and loathe him and he has alienated nearly all the noblemen of the court. Richard learns that his most faithful ally, Buckingham, angered at the murders of the two princes and at Richard’s false dealings with him, has fled to join the Lancastrian heir, Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, who is leading an army from France against Richard. Noblemen defect in droves to join Richmond.

Audiences have constantly delighted in Northern Broadsides the exuberance and honest commitment The Wars of the Roses epic marks of the actors which is infectious, Northern Broadside fifteenth anniversary, generating an extraordinary and it is their largest scale production to date. unparalleled rapport between the A co production with West Yorkshire audience and the performers. Playhouse, 21 actors play 97 parts and accompany the action with live music, The company’s aesthetic, as Rutter composed by associate director Conrad explained, was “Northern voices, doing Nelson. It marks a return to Richard III classical work in non-velvet spaces”. their first ever production in 1992. Wherever they performed, this radical new aesthetic excited the critics. History

Northern Broadsides is one of the The first production, Richard III, took the country’s leading exponents of classic company to a variety of unusual venues drama – drama where it is the language including the Marina Boatshed in Hull, that conjures the world of the play and West Yorkshire Transport Museum in enables the audience’s imagination to Bradford and Middleham Castle, North take flight. One of the trademarks of a Yorkshire. Since that first production, Northern Broadsides’ production, Northern Broadsides has continued to tour therefore, is the use of minimal sets that to unusual spaces across the world, for create a pure theatrical space where the example - the Rose Garden in evocative language of classic drama can Chandigarh, India, a Roman amphitheatre come to the fore. in Austria (where they performed with live

bears and lions on stage!), and the Tower Northern Broadsides trademark of London! performance style is earthy, robust and energetic. The company is known for its The company’s success has brought vigorous and unpretentious approach to invitations from theatres and spaces classic drama. Their work is of high nationwide. Northern Broadsides will quality and enduring appeal, performed perform anywhere from proscenium and with refreshing simplicity and a large dose in-the-round to castles, churches, cattle of theatrical inventiveness. markets, train sheds, post-industrial mills

and riding stables across the UK. In every Broadsides production, a cast of actors perform in the ‘northern voice’ - The company’s home base remains in they speak in their natural voices rather Halifax. Their performance and rehearsal than ‘received pronunciation’. The impact space is a subterranean viaduct beneath on the audience is phenomenal as the the former Crossley’s carpet mill. directness of the northern voice makes Renamed Dean Clough, this large old the audience hear the words afresh. Victorian mill is now a thriving arts and

enterprise centre owned by Sir Ernest Artistic Director, Barrie Rutter, is Hall. renowned for his clarity of interpretation and precision as a director, bringing a When Rutter first encountered the dark freshness and vitality to classic drama that arches and rough hewn floors under Dean is unparalleled, resulting in highly Clough, the space sparked his accessible productions. imagination. Where everyone saw a

dank, dirty basement fit only for car- Rutter’s directorial style can be parking, Rutter saw a theatre. Christened characterised by the stripping down of all The Viaduct, it has thrilled audiences and the paraphernalia of theatre, taking it critics alike with its post-industrial down to its bare essential so that the character and unique atmosphere. audience’s imagination can run riot.

Most recent Touring History Now fifteen years on and over thirty 2005 productions later Northern Broadsides SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL by Richard Brinsley celebrates its fifteenth year by finishing Sheridan, UK Autumn Tour what it started with the Wars of the Roses. COMEDY OF ERRORS by William Shakespeare and SWEET WILLIAM, a new commission by Alan Style Plater. UK Spring Tour. “Northern Broadsides - a regional 2004 THE BELLS a new version of Leopold Lewis’s company with an international play by Deborah McAndrew, UK Autumn tour reputation.” THE MERCHANT OF VENICE by William Shakespeare UK Spring tour Northern Broadsides’ repertoire consists 2003 mainly of Shakespeare and classical ANTIGONE (World Premiere) by Blake Morrison UK texts. These plays possess a timeless Autumn tour resonance and their universal explorations HENRY V by Shakespeare/ A WOMAN KILLED WITH of the human condition have currency in KINDNESS by Thomas Heywood UK Spring tour any day and age, appealing directly to the 2002 soul, the emotions and the imagination. MACBETH by William Shakespeare UK Spring Tour 2001 OEDIPUS (world premiere) & THE CRACKED POT by They have toured the UK and the world Blake Morrison UK Autumn Tour with their highly distinctive performance THE MERRY WIVES & KING JOHN by William style, including Brazil, the USA, Greece, Shakespeare UK and Ireland Spring Tour Czech Republic, Cyprus, Poland, 2000 Germany, Austria, India and Denmark. ALCESTIS by Ted Hughes World Premiere UK Autumn Barrie Rutter’s distinctive approach to Tour (Sept – Nov) theatre is fuelled by his passion for MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING by William Shakespeare language and his unceasing celebration of UK Tour and Germany the richness and muscularity of the THE MILLENNIUM STORY: Two Plays from Tony Harrison’s The Mysteries UK Tour (Jan) Northern voice. 1999 KING LEAR by William Shakespeare UK Autumn Tour Northern Broadsides is a company of TWELFTH NIGHT by William Shakespeare UK Spring Northern actors who perform in their Tour natural voices and have an indisputable 1998 command of the language and poetry of TRACKERS OF OXYRHYNCHUS by Tony Harrison classic drama. The result is performance West Yorkshire Playhouse that has a directness and immediacy SAMSON AGONISTES by John Milton The Viaduct, which is liberating and invigorating, Halifax breaking the southern stranglehold on RICHARD III by William Shakespeare UK Spring Tour and Czech Republic classical performance and making the 1997 audience hear the words afresh. THE PASSION by Tony Harrison the Viaduct, Halifax (Easter) ROMEO AND JULIET and ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA . by William Shakespeare UK Tour, Europe and USA (Feb – Nov) 1996 THE BLOOD OF DRACULA by Chris Bond Oldham and Halifax (Dec) ROMEO AND JULIET and ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA by William Shakespeare UK Autumn Tour A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare UK Tour, The Globe, Germany, Shakespeare’s Globe, London and Brazil (June – Sept) THE CRACKED POT - A Northern Broadsides/West Yorkshire Playhouse co-production of a Yorkshire comedy by Blake Morrison from Kleist’s Der Zerbrochene Krug. UK Spring Tour

1994 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare UK Autumn Tour 9 RICHARD III by William Shakespeare Tower of London (April)

1993/4 THE MERRY WIVES by William Shakespeare Seven city tour of India, 6 weeks at the fact he is able to quell and Themes keep English territory. It paints him favourably despite his openly War/Conflict plotting to take the crown. War and Conflict are the obvious themes  The demonstration of international in Wars of the Roses. They appear in war would have been extremely many guises. The plays examine the relevant to Shakespearean complexities of conflict, from the epic audiences, as Elizabeth I had scale of civil and international war, to the defeated the invasion of the small feuds and personal vendettas of Spanish Armada in 1588. people with and without power. This is drama that is still alive today; think of the Chat/Action Point blood feuds and vendettas that take place Can you think of any other historical or on television soap operas. The plays fictional characters that have been demonstrate the breadth of human nature glorified or vilified by war? and present a complex tale of characters What strengths and weaknesses did in a gritty world in comparison to a simply they demonstrate? medieval tale of good versus evil. By How do they compare to performing history Shakespeare explores Shakespeare’s characters? human nature and politics to produce drama that observes motivations and National: the feud and the civil war effects. He explores the choices of key between York and Lancaster. historical figures: the moral dilemmas, the The main subject: the wars of the roses, conflicts of conscience within the where an argument escalated into civil characters, and the dualities of characters war. principles and ambitions.  The conflict of nobles over position and title that leads them to take Each war or conflict serves a number of sides. purposes. Here is a breakdown of the key  The arrogance and pride, which points of the conflict and their relevance inhibits compromise and for the audience. agreement and further develops animosity and hatred. International: the wars in France and  The wearing of the white and red Ireland. rose that would become a point of The International wars in Henry VI point honour. out the problems in England.  Warwick ‘s prediction that from the  John Talbot, the valiant general, is Temple garden argument many left stranded at the siege of Paris lives would be lost. due the argument between York  The development into the and Somerset over repercussions of a feud into a war reinforcements. where fathers unknowingly kill their  Henry VI weakness as a ruler in own sons and sons unwittingly kill the fact that he gives key French their own fathers. provinces to his wife’s father as a  The pitiful state of a country where wedding gift despite receiving no a king can only weep dowry for her. sympathetically for the situation,  His weakness further but has no actual power to control demonstrated with the loss of his lords or his country. France in Edward IV. Henry VI  Parallels could be drawn from the reaction in comparison to York’s demonstrates that he has no Chat/Action Point control or desire for control over Can you think of any other examples the situation. where allegiances inspire war and The Irish rebellion demonstrates  violence? Why not take a poll of the York’s control of the situation in different football teams your class/friends support. Consider the causes of football10 hooliganism?

Tudor century of the dominance of  Winchester’s plots against his half religious faction – the Catholics brother Gloucester, for power and versus the Protestants. position.  Suffolk’s and Margaret’s defamation of York utilising a Rebellion/Class war: the uprising led by a serving man’s complaint to hinder commoner in pursuit of power. York’s command in France. It demonstrates the warping of ambition Revenge: Vengeance is one of the and ideals into pride and murder. It also motivations for conflict and war. shows the fickle nature of the mob and of  Young Clifford’s revenge on the power. house of York for the death of his  Jack Cade, a commoner, incites father. Declaring that he will kill the people into revolution against anyone that bears the name of the Nobles. York, leading him to murder the  He declares that he is the rightful innocent boy Rutland. king and wins the people by  The sons of York murdering of decreeing the standardisation of Clifford for the deaths of their large drinks. brother and father.  He declares war on the nobility Emotional: internal conflicts and opposing and on the educated. He orders agendas occur throughout the plays. the death of a passing clerk. Characters incentives are thwarted  He loses his support when the through other characters actions, nobility challenge the people’s duty arguments and logic. to the rightful king and country.  Henry VI is caught between a rock  It demonstrates again the and a hard place when he must weakened state of a country that choose between throwing the land can be overrun by a man and his into civil war or disinheriting his popularity. only son to York.  It would have been very popular  There is also a great emotional with the groundlings in the battle demonstrated in particular audience as a number of the Lady Anne who hates and yet is characters in the Kentish uprising wooed by Richard III had a lot of comic potential.  The internal battle of Richard III between his conscience and his Chat/Action Point will to dominate. Pick out a key politician and a key  All these personal vendettas, celebrity; write down a list of pros and emotions and ambitions cons of why one should rule over the accentuated the drama of the other. action. They also worked as Try staging a debate or press creating identifiable dilemmas conference where one person plays which acted as examples to the the politician and the other a celebrity. audience. Examine the techniques and arguments they use to sway the Chat/Action Point publics point of view. Look at Henry VI’s action to avoid war by disinheriting his son or Lady Anne’s acceptance of Richard III, did they Personal: Ambitions, vendettas and have any other choices. emotional conflicts interplay in the wars of Discuss any alternatives and examine the roses. what repercussions may occur. The use of characters personal vendettas Imagine you are advisors or against each other to disfavour the other counsellors to King Henry VI or Lady and win power. Anne. What would you advise or suggest?

Adapting Shakespeare & Authorship Performing History Shakespeare was retelling history from a Barrie Rutter has adapted the three pro Tudor point of view, which paints the Henry VI plays and Richard III so that Plantagenet era negatively but did he they will fit into a trilogy that will work on have any other motives other than selling tour and artistically that they focus on the the show? Nowadays we can view his actual wars of the roses. He is not the history plays in a variety of ways: showing first to adapt or edit this sequence of the negative impact of war, commenting plays. In 1681 Thomas Crowne adapted on human nature and also on politics and the plays into Henry the Sixth the First their effects. Part, With the Murder of Humphrey Duke In the last hundred years there has been a of Gloucester. In 1817 JH Merivale lot of further criticism on the relevancy for production of Richard Duke of York; the today’s audience as well as Contention of York and Lancaster was Shakespeare’s. It would certainly explain staged starring Edmund Kean as Richard why there have been so many productions III. In the last century Peter Hall and of Shakespeare’s history plays post World John Barton adapted the tetralogy into War II. From Peter Hall’s medieval Wars of the Roses for the Royal metallic council tables in the sixties Shakespeare Company in 1964. John through Michael Bogdanov’s political Barton added around 1,400 mock mirroring in the eighties up to Edward Shakespearean dialogue to clarify and Hall’s recent slaughterhouse. Whatever progress the narrative. In 1975 Barrie the framework/connection Wars of the Rutter played Dick the Butcher in Terry Roses paints brilliant human characters Hands RSC production. Michael and portrayals of human nature, politics Bogdanov with the English Shakespeare and war are issues as relevant today as Company toured his two part history yesterday. cycle in 1987, with very contemporary references. More recently in 2000 Michael Boyd staged the Henry VI cycle Characteristics (Human nature) for the RSC and in 2001/2002 Edward Hall and Propeller Theatre Company Shakespeare was ultimately a great presented an all male adaptation called dramatist and he was able to tell these Rose Rage. epic stories through the characters So, why all these adaptations? Part of strengths and weakness. In these plays, the reasoning for adapting this cycle is he was able to break away from the past practical: the cost, narrative clarity and structures of medieval morality plays progression, but there is also the where evil characters get their argument that the authorship is comeuppance and deal with characters uncertain. It is argued that the plays were that were neither solely good nor wholly collaborations rather than solely by evil. Therefore Shakespeare could not Shakespeare. It is thought that there only progress the dramatic narrative but were two collaborators, which is why the paint great dramatic characters. phrasing and narrative are sometimes  Henry VI is a weak king unable to unclear. There was also an accusation govern his wife, his nobles or his made by Robert Green of plagiarism. He people. He is essentially a good accused Shakespeare of being “A Tyger Christian King but flawed in his hart wrapped in a Players hyde”. It is position that he is unable and also argued that because the plays are disinterested in leadership. He has his earlier and fairly rough work, is some very moving and beautifully justifiable to adapt them. lyrical speeches but lacks the “My case for adaptation is based strength to rule or govern. on my conviction that the plays do  Richard Duke of York is an not work in unadapted form.” John ambitious Lord wishing to claim his Barton

birth right as King. He plots and Politics manoeuvres situations and people Throughout the Wars of the Roses, so that he can successfully claim Shakespeare shows the power play or and win the throne from Henry VI. politics of history. However he also demonstrates Power is only achieved through weakness when taunted by maintaining control of the body politic. Margaret and Clifford over the He demonstrates this in a variety of death of his youngest son Rutland.  Humphrey Duke of Gloucester is a Shakespeare & Religion good advisor and loyal to the King Tudor England was a turbulent period but is naive to his wife’s ambitions. religiously. It was religion that created the  Margaret who is adulterous, war different contentions for the throne and like in her killing and mocking of threatened to throw the kingdom into York, also demonstrates her another civil war. Henry VIII was weakness when she begs for excommunicated from Rome for divorcing death after the murdering of her his first wife, and mother to his first child only son. Eventually she can only Mary I. The kingdom became divided curse and berate others in Richard between Catholics and Protestants. III. Catholics continued to honour the marriage Each of these characters illustrates the of Catherine of Aragon and viewed Henry causes and effects of war, the glories and VIII marriage to Anne Boleyn as invalid as the miseries. Shakespeare manages to Catherine was still alive. Meanwhile Henry interweave these ambitious and devious VIII court became increasingly protestant characteristics into his grand finale so his children, Edward and Elizabeth were Richard III. Richard is the epitome of both raised protestant. On his death in ambition. He is willing to fight and kill his 1546 Edward was seenun nanimously was way to the throne even if it involves rightful heir. (Catherine of Aragon died in murdering his own brothers. He is 1536 so the Catholic viewed Henry VIII remorseless and political in his ascent to marriage to Jane Seymour as legitimate.) the throne, his only real accomplice: the However when Edward VI died young, the audience. His relationship with the contention began. There were two heirs: audience though his Machiavellian the protestant heir, Lady Jane Grey, Chat/Action Point Edward’s cousin and the catholic heir Mary Looking at the character of Richard III, I. Mary I ruled as a catholic monarch. She examine how he is likable and came to be known as “Bloody Mary” as detestable. Does he manipulate the she martyred a number of important audience like the other characters? protestant figures. When she died childless Why does the audience enjoy watching in 1558, there was yet another contention. him so much? Does he ever show Elizabeth was not recognised by the remorse through the plays? Catholics as legitimate (and she was protestant) they hoped to put her cousin portrayal and soliloquy are the key to the Mary Queen of Scots on the throne. drama. The character is also a brilliant However Elizabeth was able to uncover vehicle for an actor, as Richard III is a the plot; imprison and execute Mary Queen great actor himself. He is able to of Scots. manipulate and wield the body politic into Shakespeare writing in this Elizabethan power without a single battle or all out period was consolidating the religion of the war. However maintaining power is all day. In Wars of the Roses religion and the together more difficult than achieving it. church is viewed as greedy and corrupt. Therefore Richard III has his own For example Winchester is able to buy his retribution with no remorse and the curses cardinal robes of office and is the first to of his victims. openly plot to bring down Gloucester. Henry VI piety is also shown as weakness, his naivety and over reliance on the prayer book. In Richard III the church is also shown as corruptible as Richard III is able to manipulate it to his own ends. 13

different ways: through the control and Performing War allegiance of nobles in the Temple Garden Northern Broadsides use different scene; the wavering support of the techniques to dramatise war: design, rebellious commoners for Jack Cade in choreography and sound/music contribute Edward IV and finally with the staged to bringing war alive on stage. performance for the mayor in Richard III. Shakespeare demonstrates that the Design characters are only as strong as their Jessica Worrall designed both the sets supporters. For example Henry VI loses and the costumes on Wars of the Roses. support from Gloucester and his nobles She had to design the trilogy that would when he marries Margaret, he further convey the drama and yet be effective for loses power when he disinherits his son a touring company and fit into the for the sake of peace. York wins the Northern Broadsides aesthetic of argument in the Temple scene and his maximum impact, minimum challenge for the throne through the paraphernalia. support of Warwick (or the kingmaker).

However his son, Edward IV, loses power She was influenced by the medieval when he betrays Warwick’s advice by paintings by Bruegel, the contrasts marrying the Widow Grey. He only then between the dull neutral greys and browns triumphs through the support of his and striking reds and whites. She was brothers. Richard III gains power through also interested in the notions of the the support of Buckingham and kills all fragility of power. those who oppose him, which ultimately

leaves him, unsupported and in want of a These ideas translate into her building site horse at the battle of Bosworth. This concept for the set of Wars of the Roses interdependency between supporters and is utilised for all three plays and by the power can also be translated to striking contrasts of colour in the Shakespeare’s period: that a ruler and costumes. The design had to work in their power are only as good as their harmony with the production that isn’t time nation of people and supporters. or period specific. The costumes are a

hybrid mixture of medieval and modern, Chat/Action Point taking the simplicity of medieval shapes Take the words “body politic”, “politic”, and fabrics whilst retaining a sense of “politics” and “political” discuss and try to modern dress and reference. The style guess the different definitions. Discuss progresses throughout the cycle your outcomes and compare to the culminating with Richard III in modern dictionary. Now look for examples of these dress. The costume design had to convey words in relation to Wars of the Roses. For the two factions both in peace and at war. example: does Richard III manipulate the The two factions wear different colour body politic or politics? hoods during the battles which works to ultimate effect in the large battles were they could almost be two teams involved in an epic game.

For further information on Jessica Worrall’s designs see Stage work.

Sound dramatised as members of the company For Wars of the Roses Associate Director hold the four large carnival drums and turn and composer Conrad Nelson has created whilst the combatants continue to drum. an original score. It progresses from the Eventually through this simple trick of ensemble piece for Henry VI’s Requiem rhythm and choreography the victors for Henry V and the epic drumming battles emerge. As the drums turn the red of Edward IV to the finally drumming and hooded drummer is replaced or defeated clogging confrontation at the climax of to reveal the final tableau: four white Richard III. The use of music and sound hooded victorious drummers and four performed live on stage and its capacity to kneeling defeated red hoods. awaken the imagination brings the epic battles and deaths to life on stage without the unnecessary effects of blood, guts and Choreography and Ensemble playing gore. For example deathblows are Choreography also enables these large symbolised by a discordant blast of a battle scenes to come alive on stage. saxophone, which effectively evokes an In the final battle of Bosworth Field all 21 idea of painful steel. actors prepare for battle and clogging. Clogging is a technique that is used to Each battle receives a different rhythm accentuate the action and unify the cast and choreographed treatment to together. They use different rhythms that differentiate between one on one battle are drummed and stamped to build the and larger confrontations. tension of the battle to the final climax of the death of Richard. Performing one to one Battle Joan la Purcelle vs John Talbot “The ensemble is the thing…the sheer In Henry VI the French shepherd girl Joan dedication and drive of the company defeats the mighty English general Lord finally takes your breath away, pushing Talbot. Northern Broadsides signify these you to your feet come curtain call” characters through music. Talbot comes The Daily Telegraph on wheeled in on a trolley beating a large kettledrum whilst Joan literally dances around him accompanied by a light violin solo. Each strike is choreographed with a beat and signifies a hit. This method of stylised battle allows the drama to be conveyed without unnecessary fake blood or elaborate stage fighting.

Performing larger battles Choreographed battle between the Yorkists and the Lancastrians The costume design enables two clear teams to be signified. The two sides use rhythm, repetition to signify the multiple hits of battle. They use clear gesture to imply the victors and the losers.

They also use choreography to highlight the conflict. In one of the largest battles in Edward IV, they perform what is called “the card trick”. The battle starts with two of each side playing a complex sequence of rhythms on carnival drums. This is further 15

Shakespearean Language Blank verse is simply verse that doesn’t Shakespeare used iambic pentameter and necessarilyy rhyme. Iambic pentameter blank verse to convey characters. Noble is a form of verse that was instantly characters and romantic characters use recognisable to the Elizabethans and the flowing rhythms of iambic pentameter used by most dramatists of the day. whereas commoners use blank verse.

Iambic - from iambus: a rhythmic foot of stressed and unstressed syllables, de- The closest thing we have to iambic dum. pentameter today are limericks.

Pentameter - from the Greek for five For example (Pentagon, pentangle) tells us how many There was a young man named Paul feet are in each line. Who went to a fancy dress ball He thought that he’d risk it De-dum, de-dum, de-dum, de-dum, de- And go as a biscuit dum. Each line consists of ten syllables, But got ate by a dog in the hall. alternatively stressed. Northern Broadsides speak with northern “Now is the winter of our discontent accents. The hard granite stone Made glorious summer by this son of consonants and short vowels of the York.” northern voice are perfect for the rhythm and pulses of iambic pentameter. They Chat/Action Point also focus on the nouns rather than the Compare Jack Cade’s speech in Edward IV verbs or adjectives, the words that tell the story rather than describe it. Jack Cade Be brave, then, for your captain is brave and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven halfpenny ten hoops, and I will make it felony to drink small beer. All the realm will be in common, and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to grass. And when I am king, as king I will be…”

with King Henry VI prophesy for Richmond or Henry Tudor.

King Henry IV Come hither England’s hope. If secret powers Suggest but truth to my diving thoughts This pretty lad will prove our country’s bliss. His looks are full of peaceful majesty, His head by nature framed to wear a crown, His hand to wield a sceptre and himself Likely in time to bless a regal throne. Make much of him my lords for this is he Must help you more than you are hurt by me.

Both speeches occur in Edward IV but how different are they? Try reading out the speeches fast and slow, loud and soft and with and without accent. Which combination works better for each speech? Examine how the language effects how the speeches are spoken.

through temptation and sin (frequently Terminology personified by characters called, for example, “Vice” and “Pride”) toward Iambic Pentameter The overwhelming salvation. majority of Shakespeare’s verse is in so- New Historicism A critical movement called blank verse or “iambic pentameter.” spearheaded primarily by American In this metrical scheme, each line breaks academics, which seeks to distinguish down into five pairs of syllables, with the itself from the “old” historicism practised stress on the second (de dum, de dum, by critics like E.M. W Tillyard and Lily B. de dum, de dum, de dum. The blank Campbell. New historicism often attempts refers to the fact that lines are not rhymed. to throw light on canonical literary texts by Shakespeare often experimented with the reading them alongside more rules see Hamlet’s “To be or not to be unconventional ones, arguing that that is the question” historical culture is itself formed by texts of Soliloquy In plays, a solo speech, usually all varieties, from travel reports and works spoken by a character alone on stage. By of history to marginal jottings and books of convention, a soliloquy is addressed by accounts. the character to him-/herself, as if thinking Machiavellian. adj cleverly deceitful and out loud. This makes it an important way unscrupulous. Named after political of revealing a character’s thought and philosopher. feelings, and providing clues as to his/her Tetralogy A series of four related motivation. However a soliloquy can also dramatic, operatic, or literary works be addressed directly to the audience, as Richardians. A group of people believe in the opening speech of Richard III. that Shakespeare defamed the real Aside Words spoken by a character when historical Richard III. there are other people on stage but not Politic. Adjective. 1. wise or possibly meant too be heard by them – and thus advantageous: I didn’t feel it was politic to addressed to the audience instead. mention it. 2. artful or shewd: a politic Folio A large-format book, usually manager. 3. crafty; cunning, a politic old prestigious and expensive, for which each scoundrel. 4. Archaic political (see also sheet of printer’s paper was folded in half body politic) to make two leaves (folium is Latin for Political. Adjective. 1. of state, “leaf”), or four pages. government or public administration. Quarto a medium-sized book format, half 2.relating to or interested in politics she the size of a Folio, in which each sheet of was a very political person 3. of the paper was folded twice to make four parties and the partisans aspects of leaves (hence the name) or eight pages. politics: the government blames political When Shakespeare’s works were printed opponents for fanning unrest . (politically = during his lifetime, the portable quarto adverb). format was nearly always the one chosen. Politics. noun. 1. (functioning as sing) the Simile While resembling metaphor in its art and science of government 2. transfer of the meaning of one word to (functioning as plural) political opinions or another, simile keeps the distinction sympathies: his conservative politics. 3. between them at greater distance, often (functioning as plural) political activities or with the formula “like” or “as”, which can affairs: party politics . 4. (functioning as then be followed by “so”. sing or plural) the business or profession Metaphor Literally “transference” in of politics. 5. (functioning as sing or plural) Greek, a metaphor is a figure of speech in any activity concerned with the acquisition which one thing is described in terms of of power: the company politics are always another, usually by way of comparison. vicious. Morality play A variety of religious drama Body politic. noun. The body politic the that was especially popular in Europe in people of a nation or the nation itself the late medieval period. Morality plays considered as a political entity. had a simple Christian message, often dramatising the experience of a man 17

Bibliography depth. There are also a number of Barton, John, The Wars of the Roses historical re-enactment societies that Adapted for the Royal Shakespeare specialise on particular battles in the Company from William Shakespeare’s period. Henry VI, Part I, II, III and Richard III in collaboration with Peter Hall, London: Credits British Broadcasting Corporation, 1970. All photos except Cover – Nobby Clark

Dickson, Andrew, The Rough Guide to Cover image – Richard Morran Shakespeare, The Plays, The poems, The Life with reviews of productions, CDs & Synopses & Northern Broadsides Movies, London: Rough Guides Ltd, 2005. biography – Lisa Baxter

Ed Taylor, Gary & Wells, Stanley William Design images – Jessica Worrall Shakespeare: The Complete Works, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. Terminology – Rough Guide to Shakespeare & Oxford English Dictionary Websites Education Pack compiled, adapted and www.northern-broadsides.co.uk/ written - Madeleine O’Reilly www.stagework.org www.warsoftheroses.com/ www.shakespeare-online.com www.richardiii.net/begin.htm www.bbc.co.uk/history www.r3.org www.leics.gov.uk/country - park.bosworth.co.uk

Other resources There are a number of films available of Richard III. Richard III, directed and starring Lawrence Olivier (1956) The film depicts a period portrayal of Shakespeare’s play. It was made famous by Laurence Olivier’s portrayal fake nose and all. Richard III, directed by Richard Loncraine and adapted and starring Ian McKellen (1996) The film’s concept is a hybrid period piece set in the early 1920’s were Richard government is portrayed as fascist. Looking for Richard, directed, narrated and starring Al Pacino’s (1996). The film explores the portrayal and implications of playing Richard III with insights and attitudes to Shakespeare.

For further historical resources, Bosworth Field in Leicester stages a battle re- enactment around the weekend of 22nd August. There is also a visitor centre and battlefield trail to examine the battle in- 18