I’m pretty bummed. But before I go into that, let me make my suggestion about Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Richard the Second right off the top – it’s just ok. I wouldn’t blame you for not seeing it. However, the SSC is an otherwise excellent company, an
...akespeare, I strongly suggest that, whether or not you go see Richard II, you become an active member of the Seattle Shakespeare Company. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming. Richard II was just put on by Portland’s Tygre’s Heart this season, and it’s difficult not to compare the two performances. So I won’t even try to resist the urge. Shockingly Tygre’s Heart came out ahead! Even though the actors were all pretty much doing all different interpretations, they created an overall pastiche that had greater clarity and emotional import than the SSC Richard II. Of course, Tygre’s Heart couldn’t touch the SSC when it comes to technical superiority. Seattle Shakespeare’s actors have very clear reads and an intellectual grasp of the words that make them easy to understand. When speaking, the SSC’s actors do a beautiful job of matching their tone and pitch to one another and the space. Whereas Tygre’s Heart’s act...