I am pleased to share with you my poster design for the play by William Shakespeare, "Richard II", at the JDP-Yugoslav Drama Theater in Belgrade, Serbia. The play is directed by Boris Lijesevic.
In "Richard II", anger at a king’s arbitrary rule leads to his downfall—and sets in motion a decades-long struggle for the crown. Richard II is the first of Shakespeare's four plays about the House of Lancaster.
Richard II begins as Richard’s cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, charges Thomas Mowbray with serious crimes, including the murder of the Duke of Gloucester. Bolingbroke’s father, John of Gaunt, privately blames the king for Gloucester’s death. The king banishes both men from England.
When John of Gaunt dies, Richard seizes his possessions to help finance a war in Ireland, thus dispossessing Bolingbroke. Bolingbroke returns to England, quickly gathering support. By the time Richard returns from Ireland, many of his former allies have joined Bolingbroke. Richard abdicates, yielding the crown to Bolingbroke.
Richard is held at Pomfret Castle, and Bolingbroke becomes King Henry IV. A murder plot against him is uncovered and stopped. Richard is murdered by a follower of Henry, crowning his descent from the throne.
You can see more of my theater posters here.
