Full casting has been announced for William Shakespeare’s Richard III, directed by and starring Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), which plays at Liverpool Playhouse from 6-22 April before visiting the Rose Theatre Kingston from 26 April-13 May.  

Joining Andoh, who plays Richard, are Antonie Azor (professional stage debut) as Ratcliffe, Clive Brill (Ghosts of the Titanic, Park Theatre) as Hastings, Harry Clarke (As You Like It and Macbeth, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men UK and European Tours) as Catesby, Sam Cox (The Visit, National Theatre) as Stanley, Josh Day (professional stage debut) as Dorset/Edward, Son of Clarence/Prince  Edward/York(Puppet)/Captain Blunt, Daniel Hawksford (Dmitry, Marylebone Theatre) as Brackenbury/Edward IV/Richmond, Liz Kettle (Macbeth – An Undoing, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh) as Queen Margaret, Joseph Kloska (The Winter’s Tale, RSC) as Buckingham, Robin Morrissey (Deep Blue, Liverpool Everyman) as Rivers/Cardinal Bouchier/Oxford, Caroline Parker (Much Ado About Nothing, Ramps on the Moon and Sheffield  Crucible) as Elizabeth, Duchess of York, Oliver Ryan (A Hero of the People, Sherman Cymru) as Clarence/Archbishop/Mayor/Norfolk, Rachel Sanders (Macbeth, National Theatre) as Elizabeth Woodville, and Phoebe Shepherd (Goodbye Kiss, Kevin Lee Theatre) as Lady Anne.

A tale of ambition and manipulation, Richard III charts the rise of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, as he deceives  and murders anyone who stands in his path to becoming King.  

Reflecting on her own childhood in rural England in the 1960s, Adjoa Andoh sets out to explore how pathologising the body and ascribing evil intent due to a person's physical appearance can wear away at the  soul. 

This fresh staging asks the question: what happens when the person who is punched down upon, punches up?

The creative team includes composer and musical director Yeofi Andoh, set designer Amelia Jane Hankin, costume designer Maybelle Laye, lighting designer Chris Davey, sound designer Benjamin Grant, movement director Jack Murphy, casting director Sam Jones CDG, and puppetry by Mervyn Millar, Maia Kirkman-Richards and Tracy  Waller for Significant Object.