Wars of the Roses: Henry VI & Richard III
Wars of the Roses: Henry VI & Richard III
76

Wars of the Roses: Henry VI & Richard III NYC Reviews and Tickets

76%
(8 Ratings)
Positive
63%
Mixed
37%
Negative
0%
Members say
Great acting, Absorbing, Entertaining, Masterful, Intelligent

About the Show

Tony-nominated theatre luminary Austin Pendleton directs and adapts a new stage version of Richard III, Shakespeare’s greatest villain, which combines text from 'Henry VI, Part 3' and 'Richard III.'

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Show-Score Member Reviews (8)

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247 Reviews | 41 Followers
65
Great acting, Great writing, Intelligent, Clever

See it if you are looking to see how Shakespeare treats Richard II over the course of two of his plays. The acting is first rate throughout

Don't see it if you are not a fan of the History plays. This one is not full of the beautiful phrases you find in the other plays. Read more

254 Reviews | 86 Followers
65
More poses than roses

See it if You follow Austin Pendleton anywhere. Shakespeare lover who needs a fix of any kind.

Don't see it if Not particularly interested in WS or a three hour sit in the dead of summer. Inconvenient venue. Read more

251 Reviews | 116 Followers
60
Scorn the thorns

See it if you love Shakespeare's history plays even when they're cut so close to the bone, they're much harder-than-usual to follow.

Don't see it if you dislike over-acting, missed lines, banal direction, and a cast more like high school than off-Broadway.

26 Reviews | 4 Followers
94
Powerful, Masterful, Minimalistic, Great acting

See it if (for Richard III) you want be exhausted at the intense, raw, emotional, and intimate production of a Shakespeare masterpiece. Don't miss it!

Don't see it if you know you don't like 3-hr long Shakespeare plays. If you're in a real bad family situation...because this is all about BAD families. Read more

25 Reviews | 0 Followers
81
Absorbing, Entertaining, Great acting, Ambitious, Intelligent

See it if Very well done. Exceptional acting.

Don't see it if You do not want to think at the theater.

1 Review | 0 Followers
100
Absorbing, Funny, Great acting, Great writing, Masterful

See it if A Must see for Lovers of Shakespeare. The brilliance of joining Henry 6/3 & Richard III brings out all the family drama & humor of the plays

Don't see it if Just go see it Read more

2 Reviews | 0 Followers
92
Absorbing, Great acting

See it if An incredible cast with tour de force performances from all of the major players. Richard, Elizabeth, Margaret with fine supporting players

Don't see it if You can't follow fast paced Elizabethan language or the history plays are beyond your comprehension

1 Review | 0 Followers
90
Absorbing, Entertaining, Great acting

See it if This is a small off-broadway theater experience with the ambition and heart of a feature film studio.

Don't see it if If you can't keep up with Shakespearean lore, just realize the root of this retelling is based on Richard III’s inhibited rage.

Critic Reviews (12)

Theatermania
August 4th, 2018

"Compelling but patchy...The good news about the de-emphasis on production values is that the acting, much of it outstanding, comes to the fore...The overall sympathy-stirring, character-driven approach to the material generally works, but there are bits of plot that get lost in the poor-Richard arc...Whether or not you buy Pendleton's interpretation, it's thoughtfully constructed and performed."
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BroadwayWorld
August 13th, 2018

“Frills are not the attraction in Ruth Stage's ‘Wars of the Roses’...Despite its length, the proceedings can seem a bit rushed, as the play quickly jumps to its major plot points. But there is some especially memorable scene work...A stirring highlight is the matchup between Richard and Leister’s commanding Queen Elizabeth...Though the production has the feel of a workshop...’Wars of the Roses’ can be enjoyed for its ambition and fine work by its ensemble.”
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Lighting & Sound America
August 7th, 2018

“This unusual mash-up takes two major risks -- one textual and one having to do with interpretation. Neither pays off... it's hard to escape the feeling of having walked in more than halfway through the story; sorting out the characters can be even more difficult than usual...These sweeping chronicles have been trimmed back to the point of being made into closet drama...In general, a listless production that never gains anything in the way of dramatic momentum."
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New York Stage Review
August 4th, 2018

"Here’s a three-hour production with intermission that, as it passes, feels like nothing less than three hours and perhaps several minutes more...While the cast members emote, the war(s) supposedly waged seem too often to be with the lines rather than with the English combatants...From time to time, however, an actor—perhaps coaxed by directors Pendleton and Peter Bloch, or perhaps emerging from individual instincts—lifts the general tedium."
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TheaterScene.net
August 7th, 2018

“The spirit of Martin Scorsese looms over de Rogatis’ thrilling, slightly urban and gleefully neurotic portrayal of Richard III...Rogatis is perfection...Pendleton’s concept to adapt and combine portions of...’Henry VI, Part 3’ with ‘Richard III’ is intriguing and textually successful...Though not the most brilliant work of theater, ‘Wars of the Roses: Henry VI & Richard III’ is faithful to Shakespeare, has integrity, novelty and enough superior performances to make it an overall pleasurable event.”
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Theatre is Easy
August 4th, 2018

“An epic but lackluster production...What should distinguish ‘Richard III’ from the colorful but plot-heavy ‘Henry VI’ plays is Richard himself...Here, there’s barely a discernible difference between de Rogatis’ Richard when he’s alone, confiding in the audience and when he’s deceiving anyone who stands in his way...The staging...often feels more like a series of acting class exercises than a production with a coherent vision."
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Theater Pizzazz
August 5th, 2018

"Austin Pendleton successfully combines two Shakespearean plays in 'Wars of the Roses: Henry VI & Richard III,' bringing the best of actor’s theater to the stage. With Austin Pendleton’s direction, the company is completely engaged in the moment. Each persistent beat finds its strength through conflict...The scene between Richard III and Queen Elizabeth, played by Matt de Rogatis and Johanna Leister, is particularly potent, and the tête-à-tête toward the end of the play is not to be missed."
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Stage Buddy
August 17th, 2018

“If...you are like me and can appreciate how the naked word can resonate with intense power...then you have come to the right show...If Shakespeare himself could see what Pendleton did with his original characters, he might have even asked himself: ‘How come I didn’t think of it?’ From a playwriting/directorial point of view, ‘War of the Roses’ is a winner; and for those who just want to enjoy a good thriller, this play will definitely keep them on the edge of their seat.”
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