'Why, I can smile, and murder whiles I smile.'

— Act III, Scene 2

Part of the 2012 Globe to Globe Festival.

The third part of the Balkan Henry VI trilogy is infused with live music, as traditional Macedonian songs punctuate the bloody action. This grand drama of civil war was given new life for Shakespeare’s Globe by the National Theatre of Bitola, who staged the first play in the Macedonian language following the liberation of the country from the Axis Powers in 1944.

Synopsis

As the War of the Roses rages, Richard, Duke of York, promises King Henry to end his rebellion if his sons are named heirs to the throne. When the King agrees, his wife, Queen Margaret, is furious he has disinherited her son, Prince Edward. York’s sons criticise the agreement, and convince their father to once again try to seize the throne by force. Weary with kingship and the tolls of war, Henry and his advisors try to quell the rebellion, while the sons of York fight for the throne.

Running time: 140 mins

Cast

Earl of Warwick:

Sonja Mihajlova

Clifford, Rivers:

Ivan Jercic

Richard (later Duke of Gloucester):

Martin Mirchevski

Messenger, Lancastrian Soldier, Second Gamekeeper, Huntsman, Post:

Vasko Mavrovski

King Lewis of France, Post:

Aaron Walker

Richard Duke of York, Lord Hastings:

Boris Chorevski

Duke of Exeter, Soldier, First Gamekeeper, Messenger:

Petar Spirovski

Queen Margaret:

Gabriela Petrushevska

Messenger, Lady Elizabeth Grey (later Queen Elizabeth), Lady Bona, Post:

Valentina Gramosli

King Henry VI:

Petar Gorko

Edward (later King Edward IV):

Ognen Drangovski

Prince Edward, Earl of Rutland:

Nikolche Projchevski

George (later Duke of Clarence):

Filip Mirchevski

Creatives

Adapted by:

John Blondell

Composer:

Miodrag Nećak

Director:

John Blondell

Piano:

Miodrag Nećak

Translated by:

Dragi Mihajlovski

Choreographer:

Risima Risimkin

Costume Design:

Blagoj Micevski

Directed for the Screen:

Ian Russell

Set Design:

Valentin Svetozarev