BRONZEHEAD Theatre revive last summer's production of Shakespeare's Richard II for two nights at the Stained Glass Centre, St Martin-cum-Gregory, Micklegate, York, tonight and tomorrow.

These 7pm performances follow a German tour of Tom Straszewski's production from last Friday to yesterday, with two new cast members to freshen up the ranks for Shakespeare’s history play about a king who confronts his identity after being stripped of his throne.

"Following in the footsteps of 17th century English theatre companies, we've have been invited to perform this lyrical play of power and pride in the Hesse region of Germany, as a celebration of the 400 years since Shakespeare’s death," says Tom.

“After last year, the Junges Theater in Eschwege saw our photos and demanded we tour there. Between 1592-1613 the Landgraf Moritz of Hessen regularly invited English theatre companies to his court, so this is a welcome opportunity for an English company to take up this tradition.”

The play deals with a weak leader challenged by rebellions from every corner. Reaping the land of its wealth, King Richard’s cronies have been growing rich as they pollute the soil itself. "Rooted in the play’s metaphor of England as a garden, Bronzehead turn their spades and pruning hooks into swords and spears to bring fresh life to the text," says Tom.

The Stained Glass Centre will be filled with plants and real grass, provided by York events company WowGrass, in this historic church building that stands not too far down the road from where Hotspur, one of the history play’s characters, was displayed after his death at Micklegate Bar.

“There’s a scene where three gardeners compare their garden to England, and how the politicians have failed to look after it, or even tried to flog the whole thing off," says Tom.

"I was struck by that image of a garden in decay; of working people trying to do their best while the rulers just play. So we took that as our touchstone, setting the whole play within that garden, as the workers perform their vision of an England given new life.

"I don’t think Shakespeare was just interested in noblemen squabbling. Instead, I want to get to the heart of the play, which is this fierce debate about what it takes to care for where you live, whether that’s a whole country, or your own backyard. That’s something that’s relevant to everyone. And if you’re not interested in the politics, there’s still the familiar family arguments of the royal cousins, or the brilliant poetry and sharp humour of Richard in defeat.”

Mark Burghagen plays Richard II, having previously appeared in BBC1's The Passing Bells, as the embittered German soldier Eric, and toured with the Manchester Actors Company in the title role of Macbeth. “Although this play is one of Shakepeare’s lesser known tragedies, I love its poetic beauty, its strong and clear imagery and most of all, Richard’s deeply felt tension between humanity and the delusions of royal office," he says.

"As with all of the great roles that Shakespeare created, he never points a finger at any of his characters judging them, but presents all their virtues, vices and decisions for the audience to make up their own minds.”

Burghagen is joined for the 2016 production by new addition Emily Carding as Bolingbroke, in the wake of her award-winning Richard III (A One Woman Show) tour of Britain and abroad. New to the company too is Anna Chessher in the roles of Aumerle and Willoughby, while Geraldine Bell, Richard Easterbrook and Mick Liversidge revive their 2015 roles and Stephanie Hill provides the music once more.

Tickets are on sale at £12, concessions £10, at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk and on 01904 623568.