Antony Sher (AO5) commentary. from The Year of the King: An Actor's Diary and Sketchbook Flashcards
What are the two things Sher says about how Richard woos Lady Anne, ‘his most unlikely conquest in the play’
By being:
-Pathetic
-Vulnerable
What example did Sher use that shows the ambiguity of the play being either a Tragedy or Black Comedy?
What does he say about how a modern audience would react?
‘The line ‘Chop off his head’ is bound to get a laugh, partly because of its Medieval B-Picture associations. To some extent a modern audience’s attitude to violence is similar to then, bombarded with maimings and slayings (real and simulated) on television/films. ‘
What are the two things Sher suggested about Richard’s character that regards his appearance and deformity.?
‘Must root his wit in self-defence. Everything comes from his deformity, his pain.’
‘To look at [Richard] should fill you with pity and horror’
What are the two things that Sher’s psychologist, Monty Berman, observed about Richard’s portrayal?
(hate/ Cecily)
‘Richard is revenging himself on the world, destroying a world he sees as hating him’
‘There isn’t a single moment in the play when the Duchess talks of Richard without contempt and hatred.’
What is the name of Sher’s psychologist?
Monty Berman
What did Sher say about Richard’s deformity and how it may contribute to him being so evil?
It is ‘only ever mentioned by the others in moments of impassioned cursing, as if it’s so extreme that it’s normally unmentionable.’
What does Sher say about Buckingham and Richard’s relationship? (3 things, ‘simple gull’, criminality, surprise)
- One assumes Richard to have an instinctive respect for Buckingham, but early on he describes him as a ‘simple gull.’
- He hasn’t got a genuinely criminal mind, however ambitious and ruthless he might be.
-He is astounded when Richard gives him the chop because he hasn’t seen the inevitability of it.’
What did Sher suggest about those who are surrounded by Richard?
‘Everyone surrounding Richard has eventually to be disposed of, on the principle that anyone Richard can trust must be untrustworthy.’
