Richard III

Richard III. The first of Shakespeare's plays to be produced in America, it was offered by Thomas Kean in New York on March 5, 1750. (There is reason to believe he might have presented it in Philadelphia even earlier.) It remained a favorite of virtually all the great 19th‐century tragedians, no doubt in large measure because the title part is one of the juiciest villain‐heroes in all dramatic literature. Junius Brutus Booth, George Frederick Cooke, and Edmund Kean all made their American debuts in the role, which was also identified with Edwin Forrest, William Macready, and Edwin Booth among others. Perhaps because the role was so meaty most great performers associated with it seem to have eschewed unnecessary histrionics, although by modern standards they would probably be judged overly emotive. Thus, when the elder Booth first offered his interpretation, the National Advocate noted, “In the conception of the character of the crooked back tyrant, Mr. Booth seems to be perfect. He exhibited none of those stage tricks, which many, who undertake the part, substitute for their lack of judgment.” The drama was superbly revived in 1920 with John Barrymore, followed by more recent New York outings with George C. Scott in 1957, Donald Madden in 1970, Al Pacino in 1979, Kevin Kline in 1983, Denzel Washington in 1990, and Ian McKellen in 1992, as well as many others in festival theatres.