Richard II, The Libra Theatre Cafe
Camden Fringe 2025 kicks off tomorrow (Monday 28 July) but we still have a few more interviews to share with you. We set out to publish new ones every day of July and that’s just what we’ve achieved. So for the next few days we’ll be sharing the last ones whilst also getting out to enjoy watching some shows as well. If you want to join us in the audience, you can book tickets for the multitude of shows playing every day here. If you want a little inspiration as to what to see, why not check out all our Camden Fringe interviews here.
The Whole Pack Theatre‘s RIchard II will be coming to The Libra Theatre Cafe for five performances, spread over 18, 20 and 21 August. And if a spot of afternoon Shakespeare sounds appealing, then you’re in luck, because performances are a mix of matinee slots and one early evening at 5.30. This all female team are looking to shake things up a little, and show Shakespeare’s roles aren’t just for the men.
We caught up with that team, consisting of Megan Carter, Mary Anne Coleman, Jessamy James and Meghan Louise Taylor to find out more.
What can audiences expect from the show?
An intimate experience, exploring one of Shakespeare’s most psychologically complex characters through the perspective of his own memory and imagination. Spend an hour with Richard in his prison cell as he peoples his world with thoughts and relives the events which led to his deposing. A small ensemble cast explores the possibilities of storytelling and imagination as we dig into the psyche of this deeply flawed and complex character. Expect to be challenged, stimulated and to discover a new twist on a classic.
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
This is a sparkling new production for Camden Fringe, and we can’t wait to see how audiences respond.
What brought you all together?
You might say it was fate! Our company was started by four women who all happened to be touring in a production together. We got to talking about our experiences within the industry and how we wished there were more opportunities for women to take on the rich cannon of characters in Shakespeare, traditionally played by men. We were drawn together by a desire to make work which puts women centre stage, and we have found that when you put a group of skilled, creative, dedicated women in a room together, magical things can happen. We believe that women contain multitudes, and we deserve to see all shades and facets of ourselves represented onstage.
Being a fringe festival, we all know sets have to be bare minimum, how have you got around this with your set and props?
Our concept for Richard II is intrinsically suited to a minimal design. The idea was sparked by a speech Richard makes late in the play – one of Shakespeare’s most extraordinary and intriguing soliloquies – where a deposed and imprisoned Richard imagines his prison cell as the world. In his isolation, his thoughts become the people of this world. It’s such a wonderfully theatrical concept that it seemed to lend itself perfectly to a production set entirely within the prison. From a design point of view, this gives us freedom to use minimal set and props as creatively as we like.
What has been the biggest challenge in realising the writer’s vision for the show?
Well, the writer has been dead for over 400 years so, with respect to Will, we have taken some liberties with his vision. Besides the fact that we’re all women, which Shakespeare may have found odd, if not scandalous, we’ve been fairly irreverent in our editing of the text. Our story is told in a non-linear way which will make sense to a modern film-going audience but may have baffled Shakespeare’s contemporaries. Fortunately, Shakespeare’s writing is robust enough and malleable enough to be edited and rearranged while retaining its flavour. The biggest challenge, however, has been cutting the text to fit into a one-hour fringe time slot. There are some scenes we were very sad to have to leave out.
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run – for you or the show?
Two of our founding members are American, so we’re keen to take our work on tour in the States. We’re excited at the prospect of growing and sharing our work with wider audiences. We will continue to work through Shakespeare’s canon and open up more opportunities for women in our industry. As for Richard II, we certainly hope this is not the end, and would love to bring it back in the near future.
What words of advice/encouragement would you give anyone thinking about doing Camden Fringe next year?
Go for it! The world needs live theatre, it needs your ideas, and it needs your vision. Our best advice would be to find great collaborators. Theatre is one of the most collaborative art forms, so surround yourself with people who support and encourage you and who are excited by your ideas.
Is there a question missing that you feel we should be asking you?
What’s Shakespeare’s most iconic female role? To which we would answer: LITERALLY ANY SHAKESPEARE ROLE. All the roles were written to be played by men anyway, but the beauty of Shakespeare’s understanding of the human condition is that there is juicy, delicious humanity oozing from every single role, begging to be interpreted and enjoyed. Let women play all the parts! There are no rules!
Thanks, dates and links
Richard II plays at The Libra Theatre Cafe on 18, 20 and 21 August.
