Richard III Shakespeare in the Park

performances begin at 7:00 p.m. EST. It is best to arrive at least a half hour prior to the start of the show.

Performances are held on Shakespeare Hill in Delaware Park next to Hoyt Lake and behind the Rose Garden, off Lincoln Parkway near the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.

Our group will be left of the stage close to the big old oak tree.

What to Bring
You may bring lawn chairs and/or blankets. The area closest to the stage at the bottom of the hill is reserved for blankets only, the top of the hill allows for blankets and chairs.

You may bring food, beverages, etc. All we ask is that you respect the beautiful park and dispose of your garbage.

Cancellations
The safety of our audience and actors is our first priority. Weather conditions change quickly through our area. We will hold the show if we think the rain will pass or cancel the show if the weather is severe. In the case of heavy rain or lightening storms, we will cancel the performance.
We normally never cancel a show before 6:30pm.

The best way to know if a show is cancelled due to weather is to follow us on Facebook. Decisions are typically made after 6:30pm or close to curtain.

Shakespeare's Richard III is a history play centered on the rise and fall of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who manipulates his way to the throne of England by ruthlessly eliminating rivals, including his own nephews. The play culminates in Richard's defeat and death at the hands of Henry Tudor (Earl of Richmond), who then becomes King Henry VII, ending the Wars of the Roses and establishing the Tudor dynasty.
Here's a more detailed summary:
Richard's Ascent: The play opens with Richard, a physically deformed and embittered man, determined to seize the crown. He begins by manipulating his brother, King Edward IV, into imprisoning their other brother, Clarence, whom Richard then has murdered. Richard then woos and marries Lady Anne, despite her knowing he killed her husband and father-in-law. After King Edward's death, Richard becomes Lord Protector, a position he uses to further his ambitions. He has Edward's young sons, the princes, declared illegitimate and placed in the Tower of London, where they are later murdered. Richard then has himself crowned King.
Richard's Downfall: Richard's reign is marked by tyranny and paranoia. He disposes of his wife, Anne, to pursue a marriage with his niece, Elizabeth, further alienating the nobility. Rebellions erupt, led by figures like Buckingham, who eventually falls victim to Richard's paranoia. Ultimately, Henry Tudor, with the support of disaffected nobles, raises an army and confronts Richard at the Battle of Bosworth Field.
The Battle and Conclusion: Richard, facing betrayal and deserted by some of his key supporters, is defeated and killed in battle by Henry Tudor. Henry Tudor is crowned King Henry VII, and his marriage to Elizabeth of York unites the houses of York and Lancaster, ending the Wars of the Roses. The play concludes with the establishment of the Tudor dynasty.