A brand new adaptation of RICHARD II, directed by Nicholas Hytner, is coming to the Bridge Theatre in early 2025!

RICHARD II is charismatic, eloquent and flamboyantly witty. And a disastrous King  – dishonest, dangerous and politically incompetent.

Echoing down the centuries is the perennial problem: how to deal with a ruler who has a rock solid right to rule but is set on wrecking the country he leads.

Shakespeare’s subtle, ambiguous and powerful play revolves round two startlingly modern figures: Richard, an autocrat who believes he is divinely sanctioned, and Henry Bolingbroke, a hard-headed pragmatist who has genuine authority.

RICHARD II is played by Jonathan Bailey, whose past work includes Bridgerton, Fellow Travellers, Cassio in Nicholas Hytner’s National Theatre production of Othello and Edgar to Ian McKellen’s King Lear. He has also won an Olivier Award for his role of Jamie in Company and is Fiyero in the up and coming Wicked movie.

Book your RICHARD II theatre tickets today!

Cast & Creatives

Jonathan Bailey (Richard II), Adam Best (Sir John Bagot), Stephan Boyce (Understudy), Emma Bown (Understudy), Martin Carroll (Understudy), Phoenix Di Sebastiani (Thomas Mowbray/Groom), Seamus Dillane (Lord Surrey), Vinnie Heaven (Aumerle), Jordan Kouame (Sir John Bushy/Harry Percy), Gerard Monaco (Sir Stephen Scroop/Keeper), Christopher Osikanlu Colquhoun (Earl of Northumberland), Royce Pierreson (Henry Bolingbroke), Olivia Popica (Queen Isabel), Amanda Root (Duchess of York/Green), Michael Simkins (Duke of York), George Taylor (Fitzwater), Badria Timimi (Abbess of Carlisle), Clive Wood (John of Gaunt)

Nicholas Hytner (Director), Bob Crowley (Designer), Bruno Poet (Lighting Designer), Carolyn Downing (Sound Designer), Grant Olding (Composer), Robert Sterne (Casting Director), Christopher Worral (Casting Associate), Lily Dyble (Associate Director), Jaimie Todd (Associate Designer), Charlie Smith (Associate Sound Designer), Eleanor Dolan (Costume Supervisor), Lily Mollgaard (Props Supervisor)