Richard III (Bridge Production Group) NYC Reviews and Tickets

78%

(18 Reviews)

Positive

94%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Entertaining, Ambitious, Clever, Edgy, Great acting

About the Show

The Bridge Production Group presents its inaugural full-scale production, a modern, pop-culture-infused reinvention of Shakespeare's bloody epic about a tyrannical king's rise and fall.

'Richard III' is the violent finale to Shakespeare's 'War of the Roses' plays. In the style of Quentin Tarantino and Baz Luhrmann, and using 'American Psycho' and 'Dexter' for inspiration, this production stresses the fractured and bloody nature of deceit and betrayal through ensemble-driven storytelling, live music, movement, and a kinetic visual landscape.

Member Reviews (18)

Ambitious, Entertaining, Resonant, Not as non-traditional as described., Slightly uneven acting

See it if You enjoy seeing different versions of Shakespeare's plays. You want to support a theatre company just starting out in NY.

Don't see it if You want a more classical approach to Shakespeare. You want to see a more established theatre company take on the classics. Read more

Edgy, Ambitious, Great design & staging, Intense, Inventive

See it if you'd like a modern, well staged Richard III mash-up; inventive, well-designed & lit, a fresh at times odd take on Richard but a great Anne.

Don't see it if you like your Shakespeare straight, don't like blood or violence, pop updates of classics – or need Richard to have a consistent limp . Read more

Ambitious, Good effort, Creative

See it if You really like this play and also enjoy youthful, creative adaptations

Don't see it if Your standards are higher than " just ok." I enjoyed it but I'm nuts for the Bard

Bloody bloody william shakespeare

See it if you loved the production design of last season's American Psycho on Broadway.

Don't see it if you prefer a traditional approach to Shakespeare.

Good effort, Ambitious, Indulgent, Slow

See it if if you like updated takes on the Bard with bare staging and audience closeness - Actually found the hominess of the theatre a plus

Don't see it if If your more into traditional productions with lavish staging - Found the acting to be adequate but would define so so acting as adequate

Edgy, Great staging, Great writing, Entertaining

See it if You like a slick new version of Shakespeare with song and dance and really cool stage.

Don't see it if You're not a fan of new innovative productions of Shakespeare

Great acting, Interpretative choreography, Amusing, Modern, Intense

See it if for a unique interpretation–strobe lights, rock music, choreographed murder and fight scenes! Portrayal of Richard is fantastic and amusing.

Don't see it if you're a Shakespeare traditionalist or hate modern takes on his plays. You dislike violence, fake blood, or hazmat suits. Read more

Entertaining, Great staging, Great writing, Ambitious

See it if you don't mind modern staging of Shakespeare (too modern, maybe). You are tired of regular stagings and appreciate honest efforts to change.

Don't see it if you want to see a classical production with costumes and all and if you don't mind a direction that is all over the place (sometimes works).

Critic Reviews (5)

"Shaky performances and a hollow conceptual agenda render this production...a tiresome experience...There have been many acclaimed Shakespearean productions that have successfully been set in diverse time periods and that have employed unconventional approaches. This is not one of them...This production is so crammed with flashy digressions that haven’t been coherently integrated together that they overpower the story for no great effect."
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“Heavily influenced in look and feel by last spring’s short-lived 'American Psycho' musical, it is an expressive, postured, and movement-oriented piece...With their bold first production, The Bridge Production Group has signaled an intent to produce challenging, ambitious theater. Their 'Richard III' is an enjoyable, if simplified and focused, take on a complex play, providing an accessible gateway to theatergoers. who might otherwise not be as likely to attend Shakespeare’s history plays.”
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"One of the best off-Broadway Shakespeare productions I’ve seen of this play. At the very least, it’s the one that will be remembered the most for getting the tone right and matching it with incredible technical prowess...If you are a Shakespeare fan, don’t miss it if it comes back. If you love great technical aspects in your shows, don’t miss it. If you love well-done ensembles, don’t miss it. You know what? Just don’t miss it."
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"Postmodern Shakespeare at its best. The result is nauseatingly affecting and not because of the frequent use of fake blood...Max Hunter’s directorial vision is frenetic and daringly unconventional...Hunter unites this visual feast with elegantly gory violence and devastatingly emotional performances...The entire cast is impressive in their stamina, committed to even the smallest moments. For a show presenting so much, it can become a little overwhelming to process."
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"An eye-catching, attention-holding production that offers some highly creative and entertaining twists…Clever costuming, scenic design, lighting and projection complement a well-directed production…The acting is solid and committed, and the performers bring this difficult text alive and, I feel, capture the heart of the story with great energy and style. There are some spotty moments and choices, but this is a young cast attempting to connect with a young audience and it works."
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