Whatever you have in mind when you picture Shakespeare鈥檚 Richard III, this is not that.
Spallumcheen's Caravan Farm Theatre makes sure of that.
In Richard III: The Last Hurrah, Caravan Farm Theatre鈥檚 wild, forest cabaret reimagining, one of history鈥檚 most love-to-hate-him bad guys is played by a stand-up comic with saucy moves; a real horse emerges from the woods to act as the king鈥檚 conscience; and The Wailing Queens 鈥� a country band featuring Anne, Margaret and Elizabeth 鈥� hijack the story.
鈥淭his version of Richard,鈥� says Vancouver actor-comedian Ryan Beil, who plays the famous villain and co-wrote the adaptation with Yvette Nolan and Estelle Shook, 鈥渋s definitely for the people.鈥�
For the people and by the people.
Bringing the hilarious script to life for audiences July 8 to Aug. 3 are fellow Caravan stars such as Colin Heath (The Nutcracker), fiddler Ajineen Sagal (too many Caravan shows to mention!), Rebecca Auerbach (Little Brother Little Sister, Bedstefadr), and Dawn Petten, (Midsummer Night鈥檚 Dream, Every Brilliant Thing).
Just a few hours after the cast gathered for the first rehearsal in early June, Shook, also Caravan's artistic director, says: 鈥淲e have this incredible ensemble of people who are actors and musicians and singers and comedians, and because they all know each other, it does feel like this sketch comedy troupe and they're all going to get their mitts on the story and make it their own.鈥�
Perhaps none more so than Beil, who unpacks his checkered career and relives his calamitous courtships 鈥� much to the delight of audiences in this immersive confession/last hurrah under the glow of the moon. For so many reasons, Shook says, the story of Richard is one that鈥檚 incredibly timely.
鈥淗e鈥檚 one of the most fun-to-watch villains in theatre. We鈥檙e surrounded by charismatic bad guys right now so it鈥檚 a bit of a deep dive into why we love hanging out with people who do bad things.鈥�
What else makes The Last Hurrah such a good time and so characteristically Caravan?
Nolan, one of the three writers, says, 鈥淢ost people tend to know two things about Richard: One is that he got the crown by nefarious means, and the other is that he says, 鈥楢 horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse.鈥� And so, the great thing is, here, before he even calls for a horse, the horse is really there. You never see the real horse in Richard III.鈥�
A white horse with terrific comedic timing. A breezy, shady Gazebo stage on the hill that doubles as a nightclub. And contemporary scores with a fiddling flair and a bit of electronica leading up to some climactic moments. That鈥檚 what else is in store.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be fun,鈥� says Shook. 鈥淲e are definitely going to get our comedy club on.鈥�
Richard III: The Last Hurrah runs July 8 to Aug. 3 and shows start nightly at 7:30 pm. Tickets and more information are available at .
