The Hollow Crown

Richard II: With Bollingbrooke (Rory Kinnear) and Mowbray (James Purefoy) at each other's throats over treason allegations, it falls to their king (Ben Whishaw) to try to settle matters. Thing is, Richard II isn't the most imposing of characters and when his attempts at arbitration fall pretty flat, a joust to the death is arranged. Even then, the king cannot bear to see either of these two nobles die so he banishes them for six years. Thereafter, this hapless monarch makes a series of poor judgments, not least the confiscation of the assets of John of Gaunt (Sir Patrick Stewart) which only irritates his son (Kinnear) who returns in a position of strength far exceeding that of the unpopular and deserted king so an usurpation duly ensues. The result of the change at the top causes issues of conscience for both men, though curiously enough very few scruples amongst the subservient underlings like Aumerle (Tom Hughes), the duplicitous Northumberland (David Morrisey) and the traitorous Duke of York (David Suchet). Unlike many of Shakespeare's other characterful histories, this one is an out and out tragedy. Even those that win don't really win, and it's probably the finest effort I've seen from Whishaw. His slightness of physique and pallid skin (usually exacerbated by wearing an almost virginal white) exudes vulnerability and a political frailty that certainly elicits a sympathy as the wolves surround him without him really realising. The story also benefits from having distinct timelines and a denouement that allows the presentation to be comprehensive and complete. It's a story about political intrigue and oaths that mean nothing as those who gain the crown find it's not quite what it's cracked up to be. The production design is excellent and the flowing direction allows each of these frequently unsavoury individuals their moment in the sun.