Bridgerton star will shine as Richard III in Liverpool Playhouse

Bridgerton star, Adjoa Andoh, will star as the title role in William Shakespeare’s Richard III at the Liverpool Playhouse from 6 to 22 April 2023.

This follows a long line of celebrated actor turning to the city in some of Shakespeare’s iconic titles, including Pete Postlethwaite (King Lear), Kim Cattrall (Anthony and Cleopatra), David Morrissey (Macbeth) and Jonathan Pryce (The Merchant of Venice).

Adjoa Andoh is an associate artist at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and has previously directed and starred in acclaimed productions at The Globe, including Richard II. For many though, she is most known for her role as Lady Danbury in Netflix’s globally successful franchise, Bridgerton.

With her mother growing up in Liverpool, Adjoa is looking forward to opening this new production in the city.

Adjoa said: “I’m very excited because this is the first show that I would have done in Liverpool that my mum and family can see. They all grew up in Woolton in the late 30s, 40s and 50s.”

Richard III is a story of jealousy and deceit, depicting the ascent of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who manipulates and murders to eliminate any obstacles hindering his path to the throne. 

A significant player in English history, his death signified the end of the War of the Roses and the Middle Ages, heralding in the age of the Tudors.

The cast includes Liverpool-born actor, Robin Morrissey who has appeared in numerous productions at both the Everyman and Playhouse, including Deep Blue, Sex and the Three Day Week, Twelfth Night, The Government Inspector, Juno and the Paycock and Gabriel. 

Other cast members include Antonie Azor, who plays Ratcliffe and Josh Day, who plays Dorset/Edward, Son of Clarence/Prince Edward/York (Puppet)/Captain Blunt as the professional theatre debut, and Caroline Parker as Elizabeth, Duchess of York.

It features acclaimed actors Clive Brill (Hastings/Mayor/Norfolk), Harry Clarke (Catesby), Sam Cox (Lord Stanley), Daniel Hawksford (Brackenbury/Edward IV/Richmond), Liz Kettle (Queen Margaret), Joseph Kloska (Buckingham), Oliver Ryan (Clarence/Archbishop/Mayor/Norfolk), Rachel Sanders (Elizabeth Woodville) and Phoebe Shepherd (Lady Anne). 

Set in the Cotswolds where Adjoa spent some of her childhood, the production features traditional folk music from composer Yeofi Andoh and dance sequences from Jack Murphy (choreographer for Bridgerton), assisted by Nicole Alphonce who also takes the role of fight director, with puppetry by Mervyn Millar, Maia Kirkman-Richards and Tracy Waller for significant object. 

The creative team also includes Amelia Jane Hankin (set designer), Maybelle Laye (costume designer), Chris Davey (lighting designer) and Benjamin Grant (sound designer).

A co-production with The Rose Theatre Kingston and Swinging the Lens, Richard III is at the Liverpool Playhouse from Thursday 6 to Saturday 22 April. Tickets priced £11 to £50 are available now here.

There are also some accessible performances as follows:

• BSL on Tuesday 11 April
• Audio Described on Thursday 20 April at 7.30pm
• Captioned on Saturday 22 April at 2.00pm