RICHARD III REDUX [or] 'Sara Beer [is/not] richard III'

richard III redux premiered at Chapter Arts Centre with performances 08-17 March, and touring to venues in Wales through 23 March (2018) including Aberystwyth Arts Centre, The Torch Theatre, Theatr Clwyd, and Small World Theatre. Internationally known playwright Kaite O'Reilly--working with Phillip Zarrilli (the director/researcher)--conceptualized and wrote richard III redux specifically for Sara Beer as a one woman performance that would allow Sara to take centre stage.  The production played to enthusiastic audiences across the length and breadth of Wales. The production is now available for further performances on tour.

PLAYWRIGHT/DRAMATURG: Kaite O'Reilly

PERFORMER: Sara Beer

DIRECTOR: Phillip Zarrilli

VIDEOGRAPHY: Paul Whittaker

SET/COSTUME DESIGN: Deryn Tudor

LIGHTING DESIGN: Joe Fletcher

SOUND DESIGN: Sam Jones

STAGE MANAGER: Jacqui George

PRESS/MARKETING: Nia Jones

Photo montage: Paul Whittaker

WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT richard III redux:

Arts Scene in Wales: ‘…unpredictable… evokes laughter and reflection in equal measure…intimate…witty…ingenious…commanding and nuanced…thought provoking…uncompromisingly funny…great power and impact…brave…’

British Theatre Guide: ‘…a bold, informative, occasionally traumatic, and irreverently amusing 70 minutes of theatre.’

The Stage: ‘an incendiary look at the lack of inclusivity in theatre.’

Wales Critics Fund review (5*): ‘dynamite theatre… an absorbing exercise in personal insight, humour, pathos and historical amendments’.

Theatre Wales Review: ‘Sara Beer’s Richard is…captivating…confirmed by the loud, loving, standing ovation…’

Disability Arts Onliine Magazine: ‘Sara Beer is ‘really funny. I mean, very, very funny…[she] has…oodles and oodles of on-stage charm. Audiences love her, whether she’s sending herself up as a would-be diva or revealing her younger self. This audience was no exception, laughing one moment and then the next hanging on her every word… go and see it. You won’t regret it.’

Wales Arts Review:  ‘…Redux is a strong piece of work… Redux is full of grenades…dropped with disarming gentility by Beer….Beer is…charming and erudite, extremely good company…a damning indictment of an industry that actively discourages disabled actors from entering…’

Sara Beer in richard III redux: 'Stories at Nan's' (panopticphotography]

WHAT AUDIENCES Said ABOUT richard III redux:

[Following are unsolicited comments/posts/tweets by a wide variety of people from our audiences in Wales]

#RichardIIIRedux @sarabeer_ may or may not be Richard but I can tell you one thing - she is absolutely extraordinary in this production which is quietly groundbreaking & turns so many things upside down. It's also funny. Very, very funny. @kaiteoreilly 

Small world theatre tweet
Thank you dear people for coming this evening and loving Richard III Redux. Tomorrow we will wake thinking about tonight's fantastic, bold performance by @sarabeer_ brilliantly written & directed by @kaiteoreilly Phillip Zarilli of the Llanarth Group.

Kully Tiara (Artistic Director, National Theatre Wales): Just wanted to say what a delightful and thoughtful work that was. Sara was so brilliant. I hope you’ve all had a grand time making it and that it’s the recognition it deserves.

Rhian Davies Disability Wales
Congratulations @sarabeer_ @kaiteoreilly & all on funny & incisive performance, script & production.  Cleverly exposes how theatrical conventions & societal attitudes reinforce stereotypes about what is deemed to be the 'right body' #richardiiiredux

Carri Munn
Wishing @kaiteoreilly @sarabeer_ a wonderful time tonight for #richardiiiredux What a fabulous show. Go see @theatrbydbychan

The opening of richard III redux.

MORE COMMENTS:

Taking Flight theatre co:
‘A tour de force’

Ben Pettit wade (hi jinx theatre)
Really enjoyed @sarabeer_ in @kaiteoreilly #richardiiiredux tonight @chaptertweets lovely performance - thoughtful, questioning, a little bit angry but with some great comic moments - congrats to all and good luck with rest of the tour!

@vonderfecht :
Saw the show at @ClwydTweets tonight. Funny, frank, moving and thought-provoking. Brilliant theatre.

@dadafest:
'Laughter and reflection in equal measure'...we couldn't agree more. Well done to all involved in the making of Richard III redux. DaDaFest had a fantastic evening last night @ClwydTweets

@pixieglas
Loved this @chaptertweets on the weekend. @sarabeer_ absolutely amazing. Try to catch it wherever you are.

@belbluemusic
Intimate Moving Funny & thought provoking-so glad we went to see #richardiiiredux Fantastic We loved it @sarabeer_ @kaiteoreilly @chaptertweets #llanarthgroup

Sara reflects on the Battle of Bosworth...[panopticphotos]

MORE COMMENTS:

@madeinroath2018
Congratulations @kaiteoreilly & @sarabeer_  on a powerful, moving, funny & profound take on richard III.Sara Beer is brilliant, go & see it!

Kelly Jones @KMJWriter
Saw #RichardIIIRedux @chaptertweets last night! Wow! You MUST SEE IT!! @sarabeer_ may not be #RichardIII but she is the #Queen of stage presence and craft! A stunning performance in a funny yet incredibly poignant show! Well done all @kaiteoreilly @sarabeer_ An utter joy to watch

@weepingtudor
"Justifiably outstanding" 5 stars for richard III redux. Amazing @sarabeer_ & snazzy script by @kaiteoreilly Shows @chaptertweets & on Welsh tour. A MUST SEE.

Poet and wales children’s poet laureate Sophie McKeand: I am so delighted we saw your play - I felt it was deeply layered and multifaceted and brought to life with real wit and verve by the outstanding Sarah Beer. 

From Annabelle: Cathy and I came along tonight and were captivated. You had us in the palm of your hand and we were enthralled. A tour de force,  beautiful piece of work exquisitely performed. A lovely evening, thank you!

Jane Lloyd Fancis: Cathy and I came along tonight and were captivated. You had us in the palm of your hand and we were enthralled. A tour de force,  beautiful piece of work exquisitely performed. A lovely evening, thank you!

Marion Moulton (Richard IIIrd Society): Tonight was absolutely brilliant. Funny, clever and different. Thought Sara's feat of memory amazing. NAN sounds a character. Is she fictitious or was she truly Sara's Grandma? This play should go country wide. 

Deaf poet: Hope the tour goes great. I really enjoyed the play and got into it, it makes a lot of good points while being funny - one of the things I like about your work. Sara was so convincing I told her I loved her Nan then asked her if the Nan was fictional... :) Really appreciated the captioning and thought it was well done.

Ebba at Aber: Thank you SO much for yesterday!! I went and saw Richard III and absolutely loved it!!  I study theatre and creative writing in Aber. I've been acting since I was 15 and recently I've started to doubt myself as an actor, mainly because I feel like I'm getting nowhere in my "career". watching your performance made me rethink an I remembered why I love acting so much. Your performance was so funny and insightful! It made me think of my childhood and teachers who've said: "I don't think you can become an actor, it's not a good idea." As well as family who doesn't really take it seriously. THANK YOU for making me rethink and remember why I want to be an actor as well as making me laugh! Good luck with the rest of the performances.

Fair Acre Press: It was brilliant Kaite!! Tell Sara she was amazing and engaging funny, thoughtful What an extraordinary play! and we had the richard 3 society in front of us - she kept nodding and talking vigorously when the books came up etc - it really added to it and was so wonderful to witness their reaction .. REAL people :) or at least people from a different part of society...

for further information, contact phillip zarrillI, the llanarth group.