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The performance proposes a Richard III who seduces through an appearance of normality, in contrast to the monstrous image exaggerated by historical chronicles. Richard III’s “hunchback” becomes here a moral and mental deformation rather than a physical one, retained only as a stage sign—the black glove worn on his right hand, a symbol of dark manipulation. Beneath this mask of normalcy, however, danger takes root, gradually revealing itself when the crowd consents—through silence and complicity—to Richard’s coronation. The black crown and the throne conceived as a Wheel of Fortune visually mark an act of power born not only from an individual’s ambition, but from a shared, collective guilt.

Richard accepts the crown while feigning resistance, in a game of hypocrisy and theatre-within-the-theatre: a character who performs roles in order to seize power, supported by a bought vote and by a crowd that chooses not to speak. Thus, Richard III becomes the product of a complex social complicity, while the suffering and moral balance of the drama are carried by the female voices—the mothers and wives of the royal house. Richard’s manipulation functions only within his own kingdom; beyond this boundary, he remains alone, haunted by his crimes and imprisoned by his own sins. The ending concentrates fear, despair, and the irony of fate into a famous cry: “A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!”—the confession of powerlessness of the one who believed he could control everything.

A haunting play about the depths of the soul and the temptation of absolute power.

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Stage adaptation: Petru Hadârcă

Set & Costume Design: Irina Gurin

Sound concept & original music: Valentin Lindo Strișcov

Movement direction: Oleg Mardari

Video design: Vlad Adajuc

Lighting design: Andrei Fotescu

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, brother of King Edward IV, King Richard III – Anatol Durbală

George, Duke of Clarence, brother of King Edward IV – Alexandru Leancă

King Edward IV – Valentin Zorilă

Queen Margaret, widow of King Henry VI – Mihaela Strâmbeanu

Lady Anne, wife of Edward (son of King Henry VI), wife of Richard, Duke of Gloucester – Corina Rotaru

Duchess of York, mother – Tatiana Lazăr

Queen Elizabeth, wife of Edward IV – Cătălina Varaniță

Duke of Buckingham – Iurie Focșa

Lord Hastings – Dan Melnic

Catesby / Gravedigger – Mihai Zubcu

Sir James Tyrell / Gravedigger / Bishop – Ghenadie Gâlcă

Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby – Igor Babiac

RRichard, young Duke of York, son of Edward IV – Nicu Ciumașu

Edward, young Prince of Wales, son of Edward IV – Renata Țurcan

Lord Rivers – Ilie Pârlog

Earl of Richmond – Sergiu Vîzdoagă

Producers: Teatrul Național „Mihai Eminescu”

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