Richard II

Tony and Olivier award-winning creative Nicholas Hytner brings this razor-sharp exploration of power, legitimacy, and political vulnerability. Composed around 1595, the play represents a critical moment in Shakespeare's dramatic evolution - later used as a political statement during the Earl of Essex's rebellion.

Catch Olivier-award-winning actor Jonathan Bailey shed the glamour of Bridgerton and dive into the psychological depth of Shakespeare’s intense drama. Adapted from, arguably, the most celebrated historical tetralogy, the grey protagonist has previously been defined by legendary actors like John Gielgud, Mark Rylance, and Ian McKellen. Get tickets to Richard II in London today and experience the increasingly relevant tragedy at Bridge Theatre.

The story

Richard II is a monarch walking a razor's edge, his charisma constantly undermined by his poor political instincts. When Henry Bolingbroke challenges his authority, Richard's world crashes against the mounting wave of rebellion. What happens when a king who believes in his divine right is dismantled, piece by piece, until nothing but the traces of his cruel political mechanics remain?