In a break with tradition from previous seasons, the Bridge Project is launching its worldwide tour in the U.K. (through Sept. 11) prior to a U.S. engagement at the Brooklyn Academy of Music Jan. 10-March 4, 2012.
The Bridge project is a collaboration between BAM, The Old Vic (where Spacey serves as artistic director) and Mendes' Neal Street Productions. Mendes and Spacey previously collaborated on the film "American Beauty." Both earned Academy Awards for their work on the iconic film. Richard III marks their first stage collaboration.
The Bridge Project launched in 2009 with the double bill of The Winter's Tale and The Cherry Orchard. The 2010 component included As You Like It and The Tempest.
Spacey stars in the title role alongside Tony Award nominee Haydn Gwynne (Billy Elliot, City of Angels) as Queen Elizabeth, Tony nominee Maureen Anderman (The Lady from Dubuque, Moonchildren) as the Duchess of York, Olivier Award winner Chuk Iwuji (The Histories, The Misanthrope) as Buckingham, Gemma Jones (A Midsummer Night's Dream) as Queen Margaret and Chandler Williams (In the Next Room, Mary Stuart) as George, Duke of Clarence.
The transatlantic cast of actors also includes Stephen Lee Anderson (Sir Richard Ratcliffe), Jeremy Bobb (Catesby, 2nd Murderer, 2nd Citizen), Nathan Darrow (Lord Grey, Richmond), Jack Ellis (Lord Hastings), Isaiah Johnson (Rivers, Lord Mayor), Andrew Long (King Edward IV, Bishop of Ely), Katherine Manners (Young Prince Richard), Howard Overshown (Brackenbury, Keeper, Sir Thomas Vaughan), Simon Lee Phillips (Tyrell, 3rd Citizen, Norfolk), Gary Powell (Lord Lovel, 1st Murderer, 1st Citizen), Michael Rudko (Lord Stanley), Annabel Scholey (Lady Anne), Gavin Stenhouse (Dorset, Urswick) and Hannah Stokely (Edward). Richard III has set design by Tom Piper, costume design by Catherine Zuber, lighting design by Paul Pyant, sound design by Gareth Fry, projection design by Jon Driscoll and music by Mark Bennett.
Following the London debut, Richard III will tour to the Athens and Epidaurus Festival (July 29-31); Hong Kong Arts Festival (Sept. 16-18); Centro Niemeyer, Spain (Sept. 28-Oct. 1); and Singapore Repertory Theatre (Nov. 17-26).
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