Royal Trio: Redgrave, Richardson and Sinden Star in RSC's Hollow Crown in Toronto; Tix On Sale Dec. 6 | Playbill

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News Royal Trio: Redgrave, Richardson and Sinden Star in RSC's Hollow Crown in Toronto; Tix On Sale Dec. 6 The Hollow Crown, John Barton's distillation of varied views of the British monarchy, will be performed by British theatrical royalty — Vanessa Redgrave, Ian Richardson and Donald Sinden — in early 2004 in Toronto.
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Sir Donald Sniden, Ian Richardson (middle), and Vanessa Redgrave

"Told in speeches, letters, writings from chronicles, plays and in the monarchs' own words — and drawing on such diverse sources as the writings of Shakespeare and Jane Austen, to the letters and journals of the monarchs themselves — The Hollow Crown illuminates the human face of British royalty from William the Conqueror to the young Queen Victoria," according to the announcement.

The booking of the show has been known for some time, but the stars were recently announced. The cast of Redgrave, Richardson and Sinden, giants in British and world theatre, have been assembled exclusively for Toronto.

It plays Jan. 27-Feb. 29, 2004, at The Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, presented by Ed and David Mirvish. Tickets go on sale Dec. 6.

The much-revived work is one of the Royal Shakespeare Company's most popular productions.

The Hollow Crown was devised and directed by John Barton in 1961 as a celebratory entertainment by and about Kings and Queens of England. It was intended as a mere diversion, but exploded in popularity and has rarely been out of the RSC repertoire since. Over 70 actors have performed it over the years, internationally. In Canada, the RSC brought it to the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1963 as part of the inaugural year of the Mirvish family's acquisition and restoration of the theatre.

The Hollow Crown derives its title and its theme from a passage in Shakespeare's Richard II: "For God's sake let us sit upon the ground/And tell sad stories of the death of kings; For within the hollow crown/That rounds the mortal temples of a king/Keeps Death his court; and there the antic sits,/Scoffing his state and grinning at his pomp."

Oscar and Tony Award-winner Redgrave recently completed a Broadway run of Long Day's Journey Into Night, Richardson is perhaps best known in North America for his starring role in the TV series "House of Cards" and "To Play the King," and was Henry Higgins in the 20th anniversary revival of My Fair Lady on Broadway, Sinden starred in TV's "Two's Company," and many stage productions including Othello and King Lear in the West End.

John Barton, who directs his own creation, has written and adapted many works for theatre, notably the highly acclaimed The War of the Roses, with Peter Hall (1963), The Greeks (1980), Morte D'Arthur (1983), and Tantalus (2000). He has been the subject of the inspirational nine-part television series, "Playing Shakespeare."

Performances play Tuesday through Saturday at 8 PM; matinees Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets range $26-$75 (Canadian).

Princess of Wales Theatre is at 300 King Street West, Toronto.

For more information, call TicketKing at (416) 872-1212 or (800) 461-3333, or visit www.mirvish.com.

 
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