CALIFORNIA SHAKESPEARE COMPANY SUCCEEDING\'Richard II' full of vigor in Moorpark.Byline: Victoria Giraud Special to the Daily News A passion for Shakespeare led William Fisher People named William Fisher include:
For four years they have presented several of the Bard's plays each season in a 52-seat theater on Princeton Street in Moorpark, attracting full-house audiences of enthusiastic Shakespeare lovers. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Copeland, also the producer, the sets are simple with subtle changes to allow the company to concentrate on the beauty of Shakespeare's words. Great attention is also paid to costumes. Fisher selects appropriate dramatic music that plays between scenes, heightening the dramatic mood of each scene. It works. Shakespeare's work comes alive in the theater's latest offering, "Richard II." This professional production is full of impressive talent, actors who know their lines during sometimes lengthy, tongue-twisting soliloquies. For any lover of language and appreciator of Shakespeare's witty plays on words, it's a feast of poetry, philosophy and psychology. Based on late 14th century English history, "Richard II" tells the story of the tragic downfall of a young and charming king who learned too late the consequences of picking flatterers as friends and advisers and misjudging the reactions of his adversaries. Kelly Vincent brings a range of emotions and great verbal felicity to his demanding role as Richard II. His extensive Shakespearean experience (about 20 different roles) shows in a part that requires shallow charm, gaiety Gaiety See also Cheerfulness, Joviality, Joy. Gallantry (See CHIVALRY.) butterfly orchis symbol of gaiety. , self-pity, fear, anger, strength and resignation. Strong, dynamic performances are given by Don Schlossman as Henry Bolingbroke, Richard's arch rival, and Allan Robb, who plays both Thomas Mowbray, Bolingbroke's enemy, and the earl of Northumberland The title of Earl of Northumberland was created several times in the Peerages of England and Great Britain. Its most famous holders were the House of Percy (also Perci), who were the most powerful noble family in Northern England for much of the Middle Ages. . Ronald Rezac's John of Gaunt John of Gaunt [Mid. Eng. Gaunt=Ghent, his birthplace], 1340–99, duke of Lancaster; fourth son of Edward III of England. He married (1359) Blanche, heiress of Lancaster, and through her became earl (1361) and duke (1362) of Lancaster. , Richard's elderly uncle and Bolingbroke's father, is a sensitive and eloquent portrayal. The duchess of Gloucester, as played by Mary Bowen, is a tragic figure in her heart-rending reaction to her husband's murder. Sarah Van Hoey's portrayal of Queen Isabel, Richard's wife, is touching and sympathetic. A bit of levity lev·i·ty n. pl. lev·i·ties 1. Lightness of manner or speech, especially when inappropriate; frivolity. 2. Inconstancy; changeableness. 3. The state or quality of being light; buoyancy. is welcome when the duchess of York Duchess of York is a title held by the wife of the Duke of York since the first Duke of York in 1384. The title is gained with matrimony alone and is forfeited on divorce. is pleading to her nephew Bolingbroke, the new king, for her traitorous son's life. It is given a fine comic touch with an energetic and amusing performance by Kacy Butcher as the duchess. The duchess refuses to get off her knees until the king pardons her young son, whose treasonous plans had been discovered and reported by his unbending father, the duke of York
The title Duke of York is a title of nobility in the British peerage. Since the 15th century, it has, when granted, been usually given to the second son of the British monarch. , played with sober authority by Michael Jordan. Other notable performances include Jeff Wallach as the bishop of Carlisle
The Bishop of Carlisle is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Carlisle in the Province of York. The diocese covers the County of Cumbria except for Alston Moor. , Aubrey Loots as the duke of Aumerle, and Scott Strand as Harry Percy. THE FACTS WHAT: "Richard II" by William Shakespeare. WHEN: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays through March 3. WHERE: California Shakespeare Company, 6685 Princeton Ave., Varsity Park Plaza, Moorpark. COST: $14 per person, students and seniors $12. INFORMATION: (805) 498-3354 or (805) 373-9243. CAPTION(S): PHOTO Photo Ronald Rezac, left, and Kelly Vincent are performing in Moorpark. |
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