Photos by Audrey Anderson
The cast of Richard III makes a curtain call
By Audrey Anderson
Hometown Weekly Reporter
The accomplished Gazebo Players of Medfield, directed by Benjamin Medeiros, presented a stellar “Richard III” by William Shakespeare on the evening of Sunday, August 3, in Bird Park in Walpole. With powerful performances across the board, the production wowed the audience assembled for an evening of Shakespearian history. From “Now is the winter of our discontent” to “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse” they fleshed out Shakespeare’s text to the full.
The production’s costumes and sets were inspired by the 1970s punk movement, which, according to Medeiros, brings out parallels with Shakespeare’s history story, as they both played out during a timeline of 10 years, and “they both similarly defeated themselves.” The metal barbs and chains, black hues, and ripped fabric of the costumes also underscored the brutality of the play’s era.
Jacobite McFee, who played the title role in the Gazebo Players’ 2023 production of “King Lear,” returned as a villainous Richard III, scheming and self-pitying as he blazed a trail of destruction among the ruling class in raw pursuit of power. He dominated the stage at each entrance and used his voice and body skillfully to make Richard come alive.
Nicki Ramshaw showed us all the raw emotions of Queen Elizabeth, as Richard imprisons her sons and attempts to marry her daughter. Barbara Shapiro, as Queen Margaret, added a commanding and other-worldly presence to the stage. And, notable for their skilled comedy, Nerissa Barrington-Haber and Lucy Arrigo enthralled the audience with their physical movements as well as their effective deliveries.
Both David Lee Vincent, as Richmond, and Grayson Mortimer, as York, utilized genuine, powerful facial expressions and gestures to enhance their roles.
As the audience entered the area, they passed an inclusive “Please Touch” table, laden with props from the play. Touching the props can help those who have diminished sight to imagine the action. At a previous performance, taking time to experience the props physically also helped an autistic audience member to connect with the story more fully.
The audience clapped liberally as the cast came out for their curtain call. They journeyed home feeling ennobled by Shakespeare’s soaring poetry and the resolution of Richard III’s raw ambitions and rash actions into a peaceful era under the new King Henry VII Congratulations to all involved in this fine production!
