New rock opera aims to reinvent Richard III

Following the recent reburial of Richard III in Leicester Cathedral, a new Swedish rock opera will mark the life of the controversial monarch.

Staged in the Great Hall of The People's Palace in London's East End, RichardRocks has music by Peter Robsahm, book and lyrics by Maria Robsahm, and is directed by Staffan Aspegren.

Part inspired by Al Pacino's film Looking for Richard, it runs from 3 October to 7 November 2015.

"Don't expect this Richard to be a hunchback with a bad haircut," said writer Maria Robsahm. "Our Richard is a manipulative Machiavellian prince – a modern psychopath."

Swedish musical theatre actor Fred Johanson will play Richard III. The rest of the 28-strong cast will be announced in due course.