It may not be the most well known of Shakespeare's plays, but Richard III was the foremost choice for the newly formed Sudbury Theatre Group to perform in the Shakespeare Youth festival. Having already done a production of the piece a few years back, the production team are more than well equipped to bring the play to the public, albeit with a new focus.

The Shakespeare Youth Festival is a chance for young people to perform one of the Bard's plays in one night (Sudbury's is at Cheltenham) and then again at Liverpool in the Summer. It’s a prestigious chance, one that the new head of Performing Arts at S.U.S, Miss. Turner has gladly accepted. Directing the cast is Frere Burchell, a well-known face at the Arts sector, and Beth Thornley, who also has strong links to the stage.

For those not in the know, Richard III is the story of Richard, Duke of Gloucester; a vicious man who manipulates and murders his way to the throne. Based on real life characters, but with more drama and a healthy dose of fiction built in, Richard III is a tale set around the end of the Wars of the Roses. However, our stars at S.U.S. will not be sprouting tights, skirts, and swords. Thanks to Frere, the play has been updated somewhat.

Rules of the festival say that the script cannot be changed, but the setting can be. From the British Court to downtown London, Richard III comes. From ladies and gentlemen to chavs and posher than posh toffs, Shakespeare's play arrives. Yes, Richard is now a chav. This reflects the change in our culture, something that is represented in Richard III by the constant changes in the throne.

At present, rehearsals have just begun in preparation for the first performance in February. Casting is finished, with actors of sixteen to eighteen playing the varied characters from rags to royals. It looks to be an exciting five months as the cast begin their 'thee's' and possibly their 'innit's.

It may not be the most well known of Shakespeare's plays, but Richard III was the foremost choice for the newly formed Sudbury Theatre Group to perform in the Shakespeare Youth festival. Having already done a production of the piece a few years back, the production team are more than well equipped to bring the play to the public, albeit with a new focus.

The Shakespeare Youth Festival is a chance for young people to perform one of the Bard's plays in one night (Sudbury's is at Cheltenham) and then again at Liverpool in the Summer. It’s a prestigious chance, one that the new head of Performing Arts at S.U.S, Miss. Turner has gladly accepted. Directing the cast is Frere Burchell, a well-known face at the Arts sector, and Beth Thornley, who also has strong links to the stage.

For those not in the know, Richard III is the story of Richard, Duke of Gloucester; a vicious man who manipulates and murders his way to the throne. Based on real life characters, but with more drama and a healthy dose of fiction built in, Richard III is a tale set around the end of the Wars of the Roses. However, our stars at S.U.S. will not be sprouting tights, skirts, and swords. Thanks to Frere, the play has been updated somewhat.

Rules of the festival say that the script cannot be changed, but the setting can be. From the British Court to downtown London, Richard III comes. From ladies and gentlemen to chavs and posher than posh toffs, Shakespeare's play arrives. Yes, Richard is now a chav. This reflects the change in our culture, something that is represented in Richard III by the constant changes in the throne.

At present, rehearsals have just begun in preparation for the first performance in February. Casting is finished, with actors of sixteen to eighteen playing the varied characters from rags to royals. It looks to be an exciting five months as the cast begin their 'thee's' and possibly their 'innit's.