University News

Shakespeare's 'Richard II' Presented March 25-29 at WIU

March 6, 2020

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MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University Department of Theatre and Dance will present "Richard II," by William Shakespeare, Wednesday-Sunday, March 25-29 in Hainline Theatre. The Wednesday-Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., with the Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

The performance is directed by Assistant Professor Hadley Kamminga-Peck, with choreography by Instructor Lara Petrin.

"I think people don't expect a history play to feel contemporary or relevant, but this one does - especially our production," said Kamminga-Peck. "This play has everything - royalty, love, war, murder plots, political intrigue and fabulous clothes; it could easily be ripped from today's headlines. Our production highlights the struggle between the public persona a celebrity is forced to perform and how different it can be from their private lives. When the public and private lives come into conflict, the celebrity falls - and oh, how the masses love a good tragedy."

Kamminga-Peck said this is the first time the play has been produced at WIU and she called it "epic."

"From the costumes to the set, the music, choreography and the remarkable cast, I feel like I have thrown down the gauntlet and the department picked it up and ran with it," she said. "I hope people who come see the show will be pleasantly surprised at how gripping, raw, and dare I say sexy, an Elizabethan history play can feel."

In the play, Henry Bolingbroke has accused Thomas Mowbray of treason. Richard allows the two men to settle their feud in a trial by combat, but before the battle can ensue, the king stops the fight and banishes them both from the realm. Henry returns to claim the inheritance he feels he is rightfully due.


Many nobles side with Henry against the king. Richard, who is forced to retreat to Flint Castle, agrees to meet with Henry. Richard eventually confesses to crimes against the state and cedes the crown to Henry. Sir Pierce of Exton murders Richard, believing he is acting in accordance with Henry's wishes. Henry, however, mourns Richard's death and exiles Exton for his deed, vowing to make a Crusade in the Holy Land to "wash this blood off from my guilty hand."

General admission tickets are $15; $13 for senior citizens and students and free for WIU students with valid student identification.

For more information, visit wiu.edu/cofac/theatre, or contact the box office at (309) 298-2900.
 

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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