David Hywel Baynes Returns to Covent Garden as RICHARD III with Iris Theatre, June 25-July 25

After the success of their critically acclaimed production of Julius Caesar in 2013, Iris Theatre are returning for a sixth summer season of Shakespeare in the beautiful gardens of St Paul's Church, Covent Garden, in the heart of the West End.

In an open-air promenade production of the political thriller, Richard III, directed by Iris Theatre's Artistic Director Daniel Winder, England's War of the Roses, and Shakespeare's greatest villain will be brought to one of London's busiest public spaces. As they journey with the story and move location round the grounds and inside the church itself, audiences will be drawn deep into the heart of this dark and dangerous conspiracy.

Richard III will open on 25 June and run until 25 July. Press night is Monday 30 June at 7.30pm.

Following his lauded performance as Brutus in last year's Julius Caesar, New York-based David Hywel Baynes is returning to the company to star in the title role. David is an Associate Artist of Iris Theatre, and Richard III is his seventh production for the company.

Director Dan Winder said: "In Romeo and Juliet, the first Iris production David appeared in, he had just one line. I have since cast him and watched him grow into a fantastic, mature actor who this year gets to play the lead and will be in almost every scene! David is a highly skilled physical actor, and I'm particularly excited to see what he brings to that specific challenge of playing Richard. With the recent discovery of Richard III's body under the tarmac of a Leicestershire car park, the story of Richard has never been more prominent in our imaginations and so there is no better year to explore Shakespeare's Richard; one of his most beguiling and magnetic Kings."

David's previous Iris Theatre credits include playing the Queen of Hearts and the March Hare in Alice in Wonderland, Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cloanthus in Dido & Aeneas, Chief Weasel in Wind in the Willows and Abraham in Romeo and Juliet.

DETAILS:

Richard III
by William Shakespeare

Wednesday 25 June -

Friday 25 July

Monday - Saturday at 7.30pm

Saturday matinee at 2.30pm

Press night: Monday 30 June at 7.30pm

Show runs 2 hours 15 mins. Tickets: £18.00, concessions £14.00. Performances run at St. Paul's Church, Bedford Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9ED. Book online at www.iristheatre.com. Tickets are also available in person on the door. How to get there: Nearest Tubes: Covent Garden & Leicester Square; Buses: 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 87, 91, 139, 176.

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