Dramatic Representations in Shakespeare's Richard II

Abstract

Twin-starring roles are part of the virtuosity of the modem stage, especially with classical English drama where the contemporary theatre feels itselfr challenged to bring new life and insight to traditional forms through experiment and innovation. Sometimes it will be an Olivier playing Othello and Iago alternately. At other times it will be two actors exchanging the roles of Brutus and Cassius on following nights. -Or, as in the case of the John Barton production of Shakespeare's Richard II at Stratford in 1973, it will involve not only the two actors--Ricbard Pasco and Ian Richardson-exchanging the roles of Richard and Bolingbroke on alternate evenings, but the play itself being restructured and reinterpreted to achieve this end.