London Theater / Film Preview: RICHARD II (Crest Theater in Westwood)

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by Tony Frankel on December 17, 2013

in Film

ROYAL SHAKESPEARE’S RICHARD II COMES TO WESTWOOD

Brits had already heard about Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Richard II, directed by Gregory Doran and starring former Doctor Who star David Tennant, who is joined in the Company by Oliver Ford Davies as the Duke of York, Michael Pennington as John of Gaunt and Nigel Lindsay as Bolingbroke. The buzz about this show was so great that it earned more than $1.6 million when it screened across the U.K. as part of the “Live from Stratford-upon-Avon” series, distributed by Picturehouse Entertainment.

Since the night of November 16, 2013, encore screenings have been seen in cinemas across the world, but strangely enough only 21 cities in the U.S.A. are lucky enough to get them; and one is in Los Angeles at the Crest Theater, which just announced an encore screening for Thursday, December 19, at 7:00 pm. (This is doubly lucky RICHARD II Live from Royal Shakespeare Company - POSTERbecause RII is not screened in New York, Chicago and many other major cities.)

Richard II is currently the hottest ticket in London, having moved to the Barbican Theatre where it plays until January 2014. The reviews are almost unbelievably good: “In director Gregory Doran hands, the piece has pace, wit, emotional depth, and characters you can root for.” “A complex, rolling, many-splendored drama that will keep you hooked until the final moments.” “A definitive production of a great play.” “Tennant gives a bravado performance of a multi-layered, complex and intelligent medieval king.” And looking back on the nearly indecipherable productions I have seen in the past, all I need to read is “an excellently clear production” and I’m there.

The Crest, one of L.A.’s most beautiful movie houses, reopened under new management last August after 19 months of dormancy, and their programming in the 460-seat, single-screen theater includes art house films, documentaries, movies with a message and live screenings of RSC, the Bolshoi Ballet and more. The best way to support those who work tirelessly to keep these cinematic landmarks alive is simply to buy a ticket. How easy is that?

Richard II
Royal Shakespeare Company
Crest Theater, 1262 S. Westwood Blvd.
plays Thursday December 19, 2014 at 7:00
for tickets, visit www.tunestub.com/CrestWestwood
for other Crest screenings, visit www.facebook.com/CrestWestwood

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