Clarke is magnificent as the third Richard, slowly loosing grip on the kingdom and his sanity. He bounces around the stage in a fury of guilt and reproach as the valiant Richmond moves to retake the throne. Parris perfectly complements Clarke as the righteous force of good that inevitably defeats the evil Richard. The play ends with a gloriously choreographed battle between the forces of Richard and Richmond. But although the choreography, music and set are spectacular, the real engine that moves Richard III to success is the solid, intense, and complementary performances of the three Richards.

CON

By ERIK A. BEACH

CRIMSON STAFF WRITER

King Richard III represents what is perhaps the most ambitious character in a Shakespearean pantheon full of ambitious characters. Whereas a single murder or two is enough to guarantee the average character's downfall, or at the very least set events in motion for the tragic ending, as in Julius Caesar or Macbeth, Richard orders the death of his brother, young nephews, wife, Prince Edward, Henry VI, Rivers, Grey, Vaughan, Hastings and Buckingham. It is difficult to attempt to analyze his character psychologically because he seems so far removed from sanity, so possessed in the throes of total ambition.