Richard III (by William Shakespeare; produced by Theater Productions) is Broadway's only revival of Shakespeare this season. It is not a very rewarding one. Richard III is second-rate Shakespeare, lacking depth, dimension, verbal magic. But in its evil, hunchbacked hero, mounting through blood and stealth to the throne he covets, it has a thumping good stage character. Arrogant, brilliant, constantly dissembling before others but never deceiving himself, murdering without a qualm his followers, his friends, his sovereign, his brother, his little nephews, Richard can be a fascinating villain. Two centuries of notable actors, from Garrick to John Barrymore, made him one.
Talented...