Entertainment
21 June, 2025
Shakespeare at its best with ‘Richard III’ at the Tanks
SHAKESPEARE will get a high seas twist when Tropical Arts Association presents the classic cautionary tale of power ‘Richard III’ reimagined with pirates at the helm at the Tanks Arts Centre this June.
The Tanks are set to host the fiercest pirates on from June 26-28 when the flamboyant retelling of Richard III navigates into the stage as Richard, the quartermaster of the Galleon ‘York’ lies, fights and cons his way into becoming king of the pirates.
The epic Shakesperean tragedy will retain its classic elements while using its central topics of lust for power, deception and greed to be represented by the pirate ways.
“Richard III is the tale of an English king in the 1600s and we decided to put a modern spin to it and put it into the theme of pirates,” said Tropical Arts president Doug Robinson.
“And we found that this really fits with a story in which a person that’s seen as weak and unfit to hold any leadership position, that in the pirate world, you’re able to, no matter what background, weaknesses or strengths you have, there’s a place for you.
“We really wanted to use that as a symbolism for what Tropical Arts does, in which we make theatre accessible and no matter what your strengths – or what people perceive as weaknesses – can be used to empower yourself.”
Over 30 actors will help bring the classic tale to life as this new take on Richard III reimagines the historical figure of Richard the Third, who’s physical deformity is conflated with moral corruption and greed.
“This play is a mixed bag, it’s a history play from Shakespeare, but it also touches on a tragedy,” Mr Robinson said.
“Historically it’s based on a real life character but loosely on the events surrounding him,
“What Shakespeare’s intent was to shine a light on the fact that every person, whether they’re royalty or anything in between, all deal with the same emotions of anger, jealousy, lust and love.
“When you realise that the real Richard III had scoliosis, it gives you a deep understanding that earlier disability changes your psyche and it makes you need to make up for it in other ways.
“So come along if you want to see real people on stage and have fun, this year we’ll have a few moments of audience interaction and it’ll be a lot of fun, a lot of action and one of the most eclectic shows we’ve had.”
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