Jane Lapotaire Reprises Richard II Role In London and New York



Actress Jane Lapotaire has confirmed that she will reprise her much acclaimed role as the Duchess of Gloucester when the Royal Shakespeare Company's staging of Richard II returns to London's Barbican Theatre early next year. 

The production, directed by Gregory Doran and starring David Tennant in the lead role, makes up part of the 4-play King & Country Cycle and will be revived for just nine performances, with single performances from January 7th 2016 and in cycle from 12th January. Jane will also be performing as Queen Isobel of France in Henry V which transfers from Stratford-upon-Avon to the Barbican from 7th November.

In conversation with The Arts Desk, Jane, who only returned to the RSC stage in 2013 following a major brain haemorrhage in 2000, said of her roles, "I'm back home, where I belong! And not just at the RSC but with Greg! He's the best artistic director the RSC has ever had...Greg has given me my life back."

She also confirmed that she would be joining David Tennant and her fellow cast members when the King & Country Cycle crosses the Atlantic for a run at the Brooklyn Academy of Music from March 2016. 

Jane also revealed that she kills time in her dressing room waiting for her entrances by listening to the play, drawing and crocheting.

"I made about nine beanie hats for the Richard II cast, matching ones for David Tennant and his little boy, but I put a white pom-pom on that one," she said.

Read the full interview at theartsdesk.com.

Tickets for the RSC's King & Country cycle and individual plays are available here.

Tickets for the New York run of King & Country go on sale later this year


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