A TALE of dark shadows, ulterior motives, betrayal, greed, suspicion, incompetence, private armies and murder.

Shakespeare’s Richard II brings into sharp focus the last two years of a turbulent twenty-two year reign, which swung violently between the people’s adulation for God’s anointed ruler and their fear of a vicious, spiteful despot.

This production is being staged as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Open Stages Project, which aims to embrace, develop and celebrate amateur theatre, re-forging the bond with professional theatre.

The play is being staged for three nights from Thursday to Saturday at the Maskers Studio Theatre in Southampton before going on tour until 9 May to diverse locations such as Landford, Broughton, The Wallops, Winchester, Salisbury, Totton, Hedge End and more.

Entries from all over the country to take part in the project were whittled down to under 100 and Maskers are fortunate to have been chosen as one of them.

Ticket information, directions and more details of all venues can be found at www.maskers.

org.uk.

See the website for full tour details – all tour tickets £10 (concessions £8) apart from the Maskers Studio special price of all tickets at £8; no concessions.

Book online at www.maskers.org.uk or at the Box Office: 0333 666 3366.