Plays

Time Aforetime

Airey, Jean; Haynes, Libby

Typescript

Published: 1968

Synopsis: 20th century girl goes back to 15th century England and alters the course of history.

 

Richard and Anne: a verse play in two acts

Anderson, Maxwell

Published: 1995

Synopsis: Richard and other historical characters appear during a performance of Shakespeare’s play and give a historically accurate version of the play. Introduction and notes by Roxane C. Murph.

 

R Gloucester

Avansino, Frederick C.

Typescript

Published: 1982

Synopsis: 2 volumes -14 episode TV dramatisation of the life of Richard III from 1452 to 1485. Note: these volumes weigh over 12 lbs.

 

I Think I am an Elephant

Barber, Deirdre

Typescript

Synopsis: 20th century academic historian tries to destroy evidence that Richard III was innocent of the murder of the Princes.

 

Triple Dick: an historical comedy in two acts

Barnes, Simon

Typescript

Synopsis: The History Correction Unit investigates Richard’s reputation as a hunchbacked child murderer, with flashbacks to the events of the 15th century.

 

The Wars of the Roses

Barton, John; Hall, Peter

Published: 1970

Synopsis: Text of a trilogy of plays adapted from Shakespeare’s ‘Henry VI Parts 1, 2 and 3’ and ‘Richard III’, as performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

 

Richard III: on trial for murder

Bennett, Michael S.

Paperback

Published: 1994

Synopsis: Modern trial of Richard III, but calling witnesses from the 15th century.

 

‘Everyman’ and Medieval Miracle Plays

Cawley, A C (Editor)

Published: 1950

Paperback

Published: 1988

Synopsis: Text of ‘Everyman’ and 15 other plays from various mystery play cycles; some spelling modernised.

 

Clifford, or The Battle of Towton (in Collectanea Cliffordiana)

Clifford, Arthur (Editor)

Published: 1817

Reprint

Published: 1980

Synopsis: Historical tragedy in 5 acts whose hero is the 12th Lord Clifford, killed at Towton.

 

Richard the Third’s Revenge (in the paperback ‘Comedy Tonight: three award-winning one-acters’ pages 9 to 25)

Cotterill, Ken

Paperback

Published: 1989

Synopsis: Black comedy: Richard III returns to 20th century England to clear his name; he wins the title role in a production of Richard III and sets about re-writing Shakespeare’s history.

 

Dickon

Daviot, Gordon; Tey, Josephine; Haddon Elizabeth (Editor)

Published: 1953

Published: 1966

Synopsis: Based on Richard’s life 1483-5, revisionist in tone. Edited with introduction historical commentary and notes.

 

Dick Deterred

Edgar, David

Paperback

Published: 1974

Synopsis: Satirical attack on Richard Nixon, after Shakespeare’s Richard III.

 

Richard III: A Heroic Tale of Good and Evil

Enlow, Alvin Randall

Typescript

Published: 1979

Synopsis: 1483-5: a revisionist melodrama, inspired by Costain’s The Last Plantagenets and Tey’s The Daughter of Time.

 

A Crown by Treason

Fletcher, Joseph

Typescript

Synopsis: April 1483 to August 1495, revisionist in tone.

 

Season of Discontent: an Elizabethan play in three acts

Footman, Farel Diana

Typescript

Published: c.1980

Synopsis: Shakespeare, planning Richard III, makes Henry Tudor the villain, but re-writes it for safety.

 

The Chronicle History of Perkin Warbeck: a strange truth

Ford, John; Ure, Peter (Editor)

Published: 1934 & 1968

Synopsis: Text of play, copiously annotated, with long introduction and extracts from other material on Warbeck.

 

Never More: the real tragedy of Richard III

Friedlander, R A

Typescript

Synopsis: Action takes place in 1483-5, 1515 and 1972: Sir Thomas More is writing his History.

 

Dark Sovereign, or The True Tragedy of King Richard the Third, being the play William Shakespeare should have written

Fripp, Robert

Paperback typescript

Published: 1987

Synopsis: Shakespeare’s play re-written in the language and idiom of his period, but without the pro Tudor bias. (Volume 1: text. Volume 2: glossary and notes).

 

In the Name of Humanity

Gudgeon, Kenneth

Typescript

Synopsis: Imaginary court of law investigates the disappearance of the Princes.

 

The First Sketches of the Second and Third parts of ‘King Henry VI’

Halliwell, J O (Editor)

Reprint

Published: 1843

Synopsis: Reprint of two early versions (published in 1594 and 1595) of the plays which were the basis for Parts Two and Three of Shakespeare’s Henry VI, i.e. The First Part of the Contention betwixt the two Famous Houses of Yorke and Lancaster….. and The True Tragedie of Richard Duke of Yorke….with an introduction and notes by Halliwell.

 

The First and Second Parts of King Edward the Fourth

Heywood, Thomas

Facsimile reprint

Published: 1922

Synopsis: Reprint of the 1599 first edition with an introductory note by Seymour de Ricci. Containing Edward IV’s Merry Pastime with the Tanner of Tamworth, as also his Love to fair Mistress Shore, her great Promotion, Fall and Misery and lastly the Lamentable Death of both her and her Husband. Likewise the Besieging of London by the Bastard Falconbridge, and the valiant Defence of the same by the Lord Mayor and the Citizens.

 

Not King Richard

Hodgetts, Michael

Typescript

Published: 1998

Synopsis: A play within a play: waiting for major surgery the hero researches the mystery of Richard and the Princes and writes a play about his discoveries.

 

The Last War of the Roses (in his ‘Memoirs of King Richard III’)

Jesse, John Heneage

Published: 1862

Synopsis: Henry Lord Clifford, brought up in hiding by a faithful shepherd, is restored to his estates after Bosworth.

 

In the Matter of Richard the Third: a radio play

Lennox, Francis

Photocopy

Published: 1973

Synopsis: Modern court reconsiders history’s judgement of Richard as a murderer; witnesses (through a medium) are Sir Thomas More, Sir Cuthbert Oliphant, John Morton, William Shakespeare and Henry VII. Photocopy from: Law Society of Upper Canada Gazette, plus resultant correspondence.

 

William Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III’

McKellen, Ian; Loncraine, Richard

Paperback

Published: 1996

Synopsis: Text of the play printed opposite notes and stills from the film. Screenplay, annotated and introduced by Ian McKellen.

 

Crookback versus the Crown

Martin, Georgina; Martin, Ruth

Typescript

Synopsis: Script of school mock trial of Richard III.

 

Richard III

Merton, A

Typescript

Synopsis: School play – scenes from history to illustrate Richard’s innocence of the crimes of which he is accused.

 

Dark Betrothed

Merton, T B

Paperback

Published: 1938

Synopsis: Elizabeth of York waits at Sheriff Hutton for news of Bosworth.

 

Title to Kingship

Phillips, T Kenneth

Typescript

Synopsis: June 1483: Stillington reveals Edward IV’s pre-contract, and Hastings plots to overthrow Richard.

 

Motocar and Richard III Part Two

Pownall, David

Paperback

Published: 1979

Synopsis: Set in 1484-5, 1948 (with Orwell writing ‘1984’) and 1984 (at sales conference to launch new board game based on the events of 1483-5).

 

Richard’s Himself Again

Preston, Mary

Typescript

Synopsis: 1483-85, giving prominence to Jane Shore’s love-hate relationship with Richard.

 

‘To Prove a Villain’: the real Richard III

Pulman, Jack

Typescript

Synopsis: Events from the death of Edward IV to Bosworth are seen in flashback as Richard seeks to justify his actions to the three witches who have come to take his soul to Hell.

 

A Crown for the Strong

Ragosin, Lydia

Typescript

Published: 1963

Synopsis: Radio play: 1485-99 – Henry finds that to be a successful ruler it is necessary to be ruthless.

 

A Cry of Treason

Ragosin, Lydia

Typescript

Published: 1964

Synopsis: Radio play: 1483-5 – Richard unwillingly accepts the crown, and loses it by refusing to be ruthless.

 

Usurper

Reynolds, Peter M; Lofting, J Elizabeth

Typescript

Published: 1990

Synopsis: The action takes place on 29th April 1483 – Richard encounters Rivers and Buckingham at an inn at Northampton and decides it is his duty to take the throne.

 

The Tragedy of Jane Shore, written in imitation of Shakespeare’s style

Rowe, Nicholas

Published: 1714

Facsimile reprint

Published: 1973

 

 

The Tragedy of Jane Shore

Rowe, Nicholas

Paperback

Published: 1975

Synopsis: Edition of Rowe’s 1714 play with spelling modernised and notes and introduction by H.W. Pericord.

 

The Final Trial of Richard III: a one-act courtroom drama

Schaller, Mary W

Paperback

Published: 1986

Synopsis: Richard is tried in the Courtroom of Eternity – History and Rumour are the prosecutors, the witnesses are Shakespeare, More and the characters in Shakespeare’s play and their 15th century originals.

 

Warbeck

Schiller, Friedrich; Awdry, George (Translator)

Typescript

Synopsis: Translation of a play about Perkin Warbeck, found unfinished among Schiller’s papers at his death.

 

The Tragedy of King Richard III

Shakespeare, William; Hammond, Anthony (Editor)

Paperback

Published: 1981

Synopsis: Arden Shakespeare edition.

 

The Tragedy of King Richard III

Shakespeare, William; Wilson, John Dover (Editor)

Published: 1954

Synopsis: Cambridge Shakespeare edition.

 

The Tragedy of King Richard III

Shakespeare, William; Wright L B (Editor); LaMar, V A (Editor)

Published: 1960

Paperback

Synopsis: Folger Library General Reader’s Shakespeare edition.

 

The Tragedy of King Richard III

Shakespeare, William

Published: 1961

Synopsis: Folio Society Shakespeare edition, with an introduction by Douglas Seale and 1957 costume designs by Leslie Hurry.

 

The Tragedy of King Richard III

Shakespeare, William; Houghton R E C (Editor)

Published: 1965

Synopsis: New Clarendon Shakespeare edition.

 

The Tragedy of King Richard III

Shakespeare, William; Harrison G B (Editor)

Paperback

Published: 1953

Synopsis: Penguin Shakespeare edition.

 

The Tragedy of King Richard III (in Vol IV: ‘Richard II and Richard III’)

Shakespeare, William; Irving, Sir Henry (Editor); Marshall, Frank A (Editor)

Published: c.1906

Synopsis: Henry Irving Shakespeare edition, with illustrations.

 

The Tragedy of King Richard III

Shakespeare, William; Eccles, Mark (Editor)

Paperback

Published: 1964

Synopsis: Signet Classic Shakespeare edition.

 

The Tragedy of King Richard III (in: ‘To Prove a Villain’ by Littleton and Rea)

Shakespeare, William; Littleton, Taylor; Rea, R R)

Paperback

Published: 1964

 

Richard III

Shakespeare, William; Hankey, Julie (Editor)

Published: 1981

Hardback

Published: 1988

Paperback

Published: 1988

Synopsis: Detailed introduction on the stage history of the play, setting major productions in their historical context, followed by the complete text of the play with notes on how characters and scenes have been played in the past productions.

 

The Tragical History of King Richard III as it is acted at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, altered from Shakespeare by C Cibber

Shakespeare, William; Cibber, Coley

Published: 1745

Facsimile reprint

Published: 1969

Synopsis: Coley Cibber’s version of the play.

NOTE: The original version is too valuable to risk sending through the post.

 

And Yet We Trust

Simon, Hugh

Typescript

Synopsis: Richard III as seen by sensationalist journalist, (Mancini), furtive professor of political psychology, (Morton), boozy baron, (Hastings), prim, pedantic time -serving secretary, (Kendall) and voluptuous royal mistress, (Jane Shore).

 

The Dark Horse

Sisson, Rosemary Anne

Paperback

Published: 1979

Synopsis: 1483-5: centring on Jasper Tudor and Henry Tudor’s transformation from a shy and shabby exile to a successful but unscrupulous king.

 

The Last Visitor

Smithies, Alan

Typescript

Synopsis: 1535: Sir Thomas More is tried for treason, and visited by Jane Shore, who convinces him of Richard III’s innocence of the crimes attributed to him.

 

Traitor’s Summer

Smithies, Alan

Typescript

Published: 1964

Synopsis: Summer 1485, seen in flashback by present day American tourist seeking the truth about Richard III.

 

Richard III

Swabey, M.H.

Typescript

Synopsis: Scenes from Richard’s life, plus the arraignment of Shakespeare in Hell on a charge of falsifying history.

 

The Last English King: a radio play about Richard III

Taylor, Pat

Typescript

Published: 1995

Synopsis: Sympathetic account of Richard from April 1483 when he learns of Edward IV’s death until his own death at Bosworth.

 

The True Tragedie of Richard the Third

Anon

Published: 1594

Photocopy

Published: 1929

Synopsis: Photocopy of 1929 Malone Society facsimile reprint of this anonymous play, written between 1589 and 1591, probably used by Shakespeare.

 

The True Tragedie of Richard the Third to which is appended the Latin Play of Richardue Tertius by Dr Thomas Legge

Anon

Published: 1844

Synopsis: Two early plays about Richard III which may have influenced Shakespeare. Introduction and notes by Barron Field.

NOTE: This edition is too valuable to risk sending through the post.

 

The Royal Game

Vaughan, Stuart

Paperback

Published: 1974

Synopsis: Power struggle between Henry VII and Elizabeth Woodville, with Elizabeth of York and Richard of York (alias Lambert Simnel) as pawns.

 

The Road to Perkin Warbeck

Walton, Joan

Typescript

Synopsis: Richard Duke of York, the younger Prince, escapes from England after Bosworth.

 

Richard III

Weissbruth, Alice

Typescript

Synopsis: Events of 1483-85, including the murder of the Princes and of John of Gloucester at Henry Tudor’s orders.

 

Murder at Bosworth Field

White, N

Typescript

Published: c.1996

Synopsis: Richard as a ghost is given the chance to clear his name by showing the audience scenes from his life as they really were.

 

The Spider and the Fly

Wigram, Olivia

Typescript

Synopsis: Story of Perkin Warbeck, seen as Richard of York.

 

The Sun of York

Wigram, Olivia

Typescript

Synopsis: Revisionist account of events 1483-85. Its production at the Royal Court Theatre in 1955 brought about the re-founding of the Society.

 

King Henry the Seventh, or The Tragedy of ‘Perkin Warbeck’

Witter, Gilbert

Published: 1933

Synopsis: Richard Duke of York, first impersonating Lambert Simnel, then later Perkin Warbeck.

 

Script of Mock Trial of Richard III

Yorkshire Branch of the Richard III Society

Typescript

Published: 1969

Synopsis: Staged by the Yorkshire Branch in 1969. Witnesses are: Henry Tudor, James Tyrrel, Thomas More, Prof. William Wright, Buckingham and Elizabeth Woodville.

 

 

Banner image of King Richard III’s Book of Hours (MS 474f . 7v) reproduced by kind permission of Lambeth Palace Library.