2016-11-21 22:37:10
BRING SHAKESPEARE TO LIFE THIS DECEMBER ON CPTV
“Now is the winter of our discontent. Made glorious summer by this sun of York.” So begins Richard III, William Shakespeare’s play chronicling the life and Machiavellian rise of King Richard III of England.
This December, CPTV presents this classic tragedy, along with Parts I and II of Henry VI, as a unique follow-up to the 2013 four-part miniseries The Hollow Crown. In The Hollow Crown: The War of the Roses, viewers are brought on a menacing journey through rebellion in France, the terror of England’s Civil War, and the murders culminating in the infamous reign of King Richard.
With competing characters and extended family trees, however, Shakespeare’s “First Tetralogy” can feel as complicated as a soap opera. In case you’ve forgotten who is who, here are a few key players (and the famous faces you’ll see portraying them this December):
Henry VI
The only son of King Henry V, Henry VI succeeds to the English throne at the age of nine months upon his father’s death. In the play, Henry is a pious and peaceful man, but ineffective as a ruler. Henry VI is played by Tony-nominee Tom Sturridge (On the Road, Far From the Madding Crowd).
Margaret of Anjou
Wife of Henry VI, Queen Margaret is captured by the Earl of Suffolk, whom he intends to marry to Henry in the hopes of using her to infl uence British policy. Queen Margaret is played by Tony Award-winner and Academy Award-nominee Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda, A Raisin in the Sun).
Edward IV
Edward’s father Richard, Duke of York, had been heir to King Henry VI until the birth of Henry’s son Edward in 1453. The first Yorkist king of England, Edward serves from 1461-1470 and again from 1471 until his death in 1483. Edward IV is played by film, stage, and radio actor Geoffrey Streatfeild (Match Point, Kinky Boots).
Cecily, Duchess of York
Cecily is mother to Richard III and his brother Edward IV. She is played by Tony and Academy Award-winner Dame Judy Dench (Shakespeare in Love, Philomena).
Richard III
Arguably the most notorious of kings in the Shakespearean cannon, Richard III is born deformed and serves as the central villain of the play. Consumed by boundless ambition and narcissism, he will stop at nothing to become king. Richard III is played by Emmy Award-winner and Academy Award-nominee Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, The Imitation Game).
The Hollow Crown: The War of the Roses premieres in two parts on CPTV:
Henry VI, Part 1 & 2: Sunday, December 18 from 7-11:30 p.m. Richard III: Sunday, December 25 at 9 p.m.
Published by New Haven Register formerly 21st Century Media Newspapers . View All Articles.
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