'A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!'

— Act V, Scene 4

Part of the 2012 Globe to Globe Festival.

This momentous occasion marked the National Theatre of China's first visit to the UK. The company, which stages work in three different performance spaces in Beijing, works with the finest playwrights and directors in China. The National’s Associate Director, Wang Xiaoying, directs this production of Shakespeare's horror-show of power and paranoia.

Synopsis

Richard lies, murders and cheats his way to the throne of England as he systematically slaughters his enemies, allies and family. As the Wars of the Roses rage on around him, his mind and his power start to disintegrate, until his final deadly encounter with the Duke of Richmond at the Battle of Bosworth.

Running time: 134 mins

Cast

Richard, Duke of Gloucester:

Zhang Hao

Duke of Buckingham:

Wu Xiaodong

Edward, Prince of Wales/Bishop of Ely/Lord Mayor of London:

Tian Zheng

Queen Margaret/Witch:

She Nannan

Queen Elizabeth/Witch:

Zhang Yifang

Lady Anne Neville/Witch:

Zhang Xin

Hastings:

Li Ye

Earl Rivers/Sir William Catesby:

Chang Di

Earl of Richmond:

Li Jianpeng

George, Duke of Clarence/Lord Stanley/Sir James Blunt

Wang Lifu

Murderer/Sir James Tyrrell

Cai Jingchao

Zhang Zhiyong

Musician

Wang Jianan

Creatives

Director:

Wang Xiaoying

Planner:

Luo Dajun

Production Coordinators:

Zhou Li

Wang Qian

Translator:

Wang Mengmeng

Stage Manager:

Wang Zhiqiang

Sound Operator:

Chen Bing

Make-up Designers:

Shen Miao

Si Hui

Costume Designer:

Chen Xianwei

Costume Designer:

Wang Jun

Stage Installer:

Zhang Xinjun

Stage Installer:

Liu Baozhu