Richard II to be staged in the House of Commons

A new production of Shakespeare's Richard II will be staged in the House of Commons to mark the 400th anniversary of the Bard's death.

In what is the first ever performance of a Shakespearean play in the House of Commons, the story will be adapted as a Westminster thriller with the Duchess of Gloucester becoming the Political Editor of the BBC.

The one-off performance will take place on 23 April, with tickets distributed through a ballot, open now until 3 April here.

The production will then transfer to the Arcola Theatre for a week-long run from 3 – 7 May.

Casting includes Tim Delap (The Woman in Black) in the titular role and Hermione Gulliford (3 Winters, National Theatre) as Harri Bolingbroke, reimagined in this new version as a female Leader of the Opposition.

Richard II is co-directed by Jack Gamble and Quentin Beroud, who today said: "Staging this early masterpiece in Parliament will show how much Shakespeare still has to say about leadership and representation.

"Reworking Bolingbroke as a powerful female lead will give the play a renewed significance at a time where certain privileges still count for more than they should."

Richard II runs at the House of Commons on 23 April and at the Arcola Theatre from 3 – 7 May.