The RSC Announce A One-Off Rehearsed Reading Of Thomas Of Woodstock During The Richard II London Run

The Royal Shakespeare Company have today announced that there will be a one-off performance of Thomas Of Woodstock during the run of Richard II at London's Barbican Theatre. 

The Elizabethan  play, by an unknown author, covers the events leading up to the murder of Richard II's Uncle which is the focus of the opening scene in Shakespeare's play. It also includes many of the same characters as Shakespeare's Richard II, including the King and his 'favourites' Bushy, Bagot and Green amongst others. The rehearsed reading will be directed by Owen Horsley who is the Assistant Director on Richard II, and who will also give an introduction to the play at the start of the performance

The performance will be cast with actors from within Richard II; specific cast details have not yet been named.

RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran said, “Thomas of Woodstock is sometimes referred to as Richard II: Part One. It is an anonymous Elizabethan drama which tells the backstory to Shakespeare's play, staging the events leading up to the murder of Richard's Uncle the Duke of Gloucester, brother to John of Gaunt and to the Duke of York. The King is deeply implicated in his death – and this is the unspoken crisis with which Shakespeare opens his play. It's a truly intriguing play”.

The two hour performance will be followed by a Q&A, and takes place on the afternoon of Friday 20th December at 2pm with tickets costing £5.00. Tickets go on sale from the Barbican box office from Wednesday 13 November.

Contact the Barbican Box Office on 020 7638 8891 or online at www.barbican.org.uk