Shakespeare: Richard II [David Tennant] [RSC] [2014]

I watched this show at Barbican twice. Since I bought the day ticket and sat at the last row of Stalls, this DVD gives me much better view.My fav. Richard II was Ben Whishaw but now I can't decide which one is better.David Tennant was brilliant as a bad king at the first half acts but made the audience feel sad and sorry for him at the last two acts. The famous speeches at the coast and Westminster Hall were fantastic too. His emotion control was incredible. You can feel his hope and happy at one second and immediately in despair at the next second.Other actors were brilliant too.Michael Pennington gave a beautiful 'this royal throne of kings' speech. So touching and powerful.Oliver Ford Davies' Duke of York was outstanding. He's funny and wise. He knew Richard's faults. However, he still felt sorry for him. It's the first time I can understand his struggle and why he welcomed Bolingbroke but still cried for Richard.The only weak point of this cast, in my opinion, is Nigel Lindsay as Henry Bolingbroke.Compared to Rory's Bolingbroke in The Hollow Crown, Nigel's version was more ambitious. The whole thing seems as a plot. He planed it and finally deposed Richard successfully. I like this way of interpretation until the last scene. When Bolingbroke blamed the murderer, he should feel guilty. However, Nigel failed to present this complicated feeling.This production is great and smart.The director made the first act happen at Gloucester's funeral so the quarrel between Bolingbroke and Mowbray was more reasonable. It also made the situation of Richard II become interesting since Duke of York (and other gentlemen) think he should be responsible for the death of Gloucester.Overall, it's a fantastic production.Thanks for this fabulous work of RSCCan't wait the DVDs of Henry IV Part I & II :D

This true to Shakespeare performance led by that great actor Charlie Edwards, such wonderful voice using the text so well, which I so enjoyed at Shakespeare's Globe. The whole performance magnificent, unlike those in the 2016 Season. I must also mention the performance by David Sturzaker, a much under-rated actor, I've seen him several times on stage in London & he's always impressed, having got to know his work on DOCTORS !I thoroughly recommend this DVD & the supplier.

This is not Shakespeare's most popular play, but in this realisation it could very well be. What might be considered a flaw, i.e. the absence of a true hero or villain, makes it most compelling to watch. The nuances of the characters are played out brilliantly by all the cast. The staging is visually beautiful and the director did a really good job helping the audience to understand what's going on and leaving room for imagination and afterthought. David Tennant won an award for his performance and well deserved. His last speech in prison was cut too much for my taste, after the bustle before I would have liked a little more quiet time here to keep the balance.I like the audiocommentary very much. It gives huge information about the play itself and the historical background, as well as the usual talk about actors and staging aspects.

Really good, All the cast give suberb performances and the sets and lighting add to it.

I like David Tennet very much because he's a good actor. He plays the lead in 'Richard ll' and the play is by Shakespear, not a lot can go wrong.Though some may like the Hollow Crown Ben Wishaw version too; we have both and have enjoyed both.

Personal entertainment.

enjoyed the dvd content

Saw David Tennant in this play live at the RSC - he was brilliant - and the rest of the cast too ! A different take on Richard II to theperformance in the Hollow Crown series on TV - that was a really good performance by Ben Wishaw , but for me this was better.A must have dvd for Shakespeare fans !