Purdue Theatre to stage Shakespeare's 'Richard III'
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Theatre will present William Shakespeare's historic tragedy "Richard III," from Nov. 17 to Dec. 3 in the Carole and Gordon Mallett Theatre located in the Yue-Kong Pao Hall of Visual and Performing Arts.Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17, 18, 29, 30 and Dec. 1 and 2. Matinees will be at 3 p.m. on Nov. 18, 19 and Dec. 3. The production will feature guest director Dave Demke from Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Mass.
The last of the four Shakespeare plays that deal with the War of the Roses, "Richard III" is a tale of politics, intrigue and betrayal. The brilliant but embittered Richard justifies his murderous path to the throne as compensation for the lifetime of miseries he has endured as a result of his physical deformity. His hard-won kingdom crumbles when his many enemies rise up against him.
"['Richard III' is] Shakespeare's exploration into a society dominated by ambition and revenge, reward and punishment," Demke said. "Richard has to resolve his loneliness in a culture where self-interest is more important than the common good, and where the ends justify the means. Richard is a star pupil in the school of fear and war, and he delights in using his talents to outdo his tutors."
Demke is the associate director of training at Shakespeare & Company, where he oversees professional actor training programs. He also teaches, acts and directs for the company. Prior to Shakespeare & Company, he spent several years as the artistic director of the Stark Raving Theatre in Portland, Ore., and several years in New York as an actor and dancer. Demke also has worked in theater, film and television, but said that he is "most passionate about Shakespeare."
Admission for "Richard III" is $16 for the general public, $12 for seniors 62 and older and $9 for students. Tickets are available at the Loeb, Elliott and Yue-Kong Pao Hall box offices or by calling (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW.
A special matinee performance will be held at 2 p.m. on Dec. 2 for students attending Purdue Theatre's High School Workshop Day. For information, call Peggy Felix at (765) 494-3084 or visit at the Purdue Theatre web site.
"Richard III" is presented with support from the Tippecanoe Arts Federation, the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Writer: Peggy Felix, Purdue Theatre director of marketing and donor relations, (765) 494-3084, felix@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Photographers are invited to take photos at rehearsal at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 13. Contact Peggy Felix, Purdue Theatre director of marketing and donor relations, (765) 494-3084, felix@purdue.edu
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