Philippa Gregory to make playwriting debut with Richard, My Richard

The British historical author Philippa Gregory’s debut play, Richard, My Richard, will run at two theatres in 2024. The play takes inspiration from Shakespeare’s Richard III.

“I was inspired to write this play after having the privilege to attend the internment of Richard lll at Leicester,” said Gregory. “I wanted to write a play about the real Richard and the people – especially the influential women- around him. Then the most important character walked into the play – History – who in an absent-minded moment has given us such a dark picture of the king whose motto was loyalty and whose passion was chivalry.”

Richard, My Richard starts out when the monarch realises he’s found in a Leicester city car park. As Richard believes he’s in heaven, History must tell the undead king that all isn’t as he would imagine.

Gregory’s best-selling novels include The Other Boleyn Girl and The White Queen. Her upcoming novel, Normal Women – 900 Years of Making History, will be published in October 2023.

Katie Posner will direct Richard, My Richard, with additional creative team and casting announced in due course. 

Richard, My Richard is produced by Shakespeare North Playhouse and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, in association with Daniel Schumann. The play runs at Shakespeare North Playhouse from 8 to 30 March 2024 (with a press night set for 12 March), and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds from 12 to 27 April 2024.

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