Although 'Richard II' may not be my favourite Shakespeare play, it does deserve to be performed a lot more. It's thematically fascinating, especially from a political standpoint, has great characterisation (especially the titular character and Bolingbroke) and while some may find the verse heavy dialogue too rambling it's still distinctive Shakespeare. It has been performed well many times and of the filmed adaptations 'The Hollow Crown' version is particularly stunning.
For an older production of the play (so a production pre-1980), done traditionally and tastefully with great acting, it doesn't get much better than this production. Other than the play, my main reason for seeing it was for the young Ian McKellen, who is a big favourite of mine, and this production shows that he was every bit as good at Shakespeare as he is now. This is a wonderful performance and goes perfectly with the performance of Christopher Marlowe's 'Edward II', also with McKellen and a few other cast members, and done in the same year.
McKellen is majestic in the title role, passionate, sensual, spontaneous and nuanced. He is also terrifically supported by particularly Timothy West's fiercely ruthless Bolingbroke and Robert Eddison's moving Duke of York. Nobody puts a foot wrong here.
The staging is always done tastefully with nothing questionable, senseless or unnecessary, everything gels well with the wonderful text, everything is coherent and it doesn't feel static or dull. All the crucial scenes having the right amount and kind of emotional impact.
Furthermore, the production also looks good, it may not be the most lavish production of 'Richard II' but it is one of the most traditional and most true to time and place ones. The settings are appropriately regal and the costumes at least don't look drab. The filming is very good, nothing chaotic or claustrophobic while not feeling too stagy.
Overall, wonderful. Shakespeare and McKellen fans, especially if interested to see what his acting was like when he was younger, should not miss it. 10/10.
