RICHARD III definitely will be coming home to York. Although the destiny of his newly found bones is yet to be decided amid the “let him fester in Leicester” debate, The Press can confirm that William Shakespeare’s Crookback will be having his winter of discontent at York Theatre Royal in November.

In Shakespeare’s hands, the last Plantagenet king of England suffered a tabloid-style character assassination as ignominious as ending up under a Leicester supermarket car park.

The real Richard III, who died on the battlefield of the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, may have had his skeletal status confirmed by the University of Leicester, but Shakespeare’s prince-murdering hunchback must suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous misrepresentation once more in the Theatre Royal’s production in partnership with Nottingham Playhouse.

“While people petition government and passionate pleas ring out to bring his remains to York we are proud to offer this return of Richard of York to his titular home,” says head of communications Abbigail Wright.

Directed by Loveday Ingram, the production will make its bow in Nottingham from October 25 to November 16 before transferring to York from November 19 to 30 (with no performances on November 24 and 25).

The title role will be played by stage and screen actor Ian Bartholomew, who is relishing his chance at such a topical time. “The discovery of the bones of Richard III has made the prospect of playing the Machiavellian king even more exciting as the discovery will mean that the public are more aware of his life now than ever,” he says.

“Richard III is an irresistible challenge to any actor as he was such a fascinating character with his combination of ambition, cruelty and anger and sheer twisted sense of humour.”

Bartholomew’s casting as “the murderous and power-hungry” Richard follows his Nottingham Playhouse performance as Arturo Ro, for which playwright Bertolt Brecht drew his inspiration from Shakespeare’s portrayal/betrayal of Richard III.

November will not be the only occasion when Richard of York, Duke of Gloucester, will hold court at York Theatre Royal. He also will appear in Shakespeare’s Globe’s Henry VI season in the main house from June 26 to July 13.

Premiering in York before transferring to London, the Globe’s new version of the first part of the War of the Roses will present the trilogy of Harry The Sixth, The Houses Of York And Lancaster and The True Tragedy Of The Duke Of York over the three weeks.

The War of the Roses will be completed by Loveday Ingram’s Richard III production, for which tickets go on sale tomorrow on 01904 623568 or online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

• The last time York Theatre Royal staged its own production of Richard III was in 1994 when panto regular David Leonard played the King.