RICHARD III returns to York for the first time since his burial at Leicester Cathedral in March, and the Yorkist king is very much alive in a reimagining of Shakespeare's play as a modern-day political thriller.

Played by English literature student Sam Hill, Richard III will take to two stages, one on a traverse stage at the University of York Drama Barn tonight, tomorrow and Sunday night; the other, the aptly political amphitheatre of the York Guildhall Chamber on Saturday evening.

This will be a young, ambitious Richard seeking to seize the reins of our nation's divided Parliament by an means possible as the university's DramSoc examines the nature of leadership in today's fractured political climate where outlandish, motivated and charismatic people's politicians are on the rise.

"It couldn't be more relevant or well timed, could it, what with the General Election and Richard's remains being found, leading to a complete revival of interest not only in Richard but also in the War of The Roses," says Sam.

"Our production, directed by Joe D'Angelo, takes the political conflict of the War of the Roses to make comparisons with our own political climate."

Sam was last seen in a Shakespeare play in York as Bertram, the young Count of Rousillon, in York Shakespeare Project's All's Well That Ends Well last November, when he played a character who "has to lie through his teeth".

Bertram was a mere sprat by comparison with Richard III, the shark, however.

"Richard III has worked out how the world works; in fact maybe he's worked it out a bit too much," he says.

"We've essentially set that world in the House of Commons, which will transpose itself to the Council Chamber, though we're not making any criticism of the York Council, but it's a very interesting lens to see the play through. We're also not looking to make a statement about any particular party; it's more a commentary on the political world."


York International Shakespeare Festival presents University of York's DramSoc in Richard III, York Guildhall Council Chambers, Saturday, 5pm; box office: 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk. Also at University of York Drama Barn, tonight, Friday and Sunday, 7.30pm; yusu.org/tickets