Richard II's deposition scene (Ian McKellen and Fiona Shaw)

[wynterglass]

What a terribly attractive young actor--wait, it's McKellan! He used to be a brunette? So incredible that he's been a talented actor for so many decades.

[DennyCLe]

I'm doing Richard II, I'm playing Bullingbrooke!

[missbabyice]

Really informative clip- I like both interpretations :)

[Umdzeh]

Richard likes to play with language, agreed. This does not come through in the Actors.

Fiona Shaw as Richard II?

I have seen men playing Lady Macbeth successfully but never women taking on Male leads successfully. Bloody awful rendition.

[ShinyShinyPlayThing]

The point of the casting was to illustrate that Richard does not seem himself as "a man" he sees himself as a god - his gender is entirely irrelevant to the play (unlike Hamlet's, whom Shaw was originally asked to play, and declined). It was a staggering performance.

[minervamcgonagall86]

a considerably more insightful comment! i completely agree, Shiny

[jordanprincessai]

@Umdzeh I think she was brilliant, and I think it's very closed minded for you to think it's an awful rendition simply because she's a woman.

[heliotropezzz333]

Could somebody post Ian McKellen's Richard II without anyone talking over it. I can't seem to find that, but remember seeing it on stage. He was rather mesemerising at that time.

[superdooperstupor]

Thank you so much for posting this 3 part

series about the casting of a king:Richard II.

Sterling proof, if more is needed, that entertainment and education aren't mutually exclusive.

[deadxkorps]

Is it just me or does IM look like a 17 yo there, even if he's 31?

[diddymuck]

Had no idea Fiona Shaw was a lesbian. Still like her, though.

[ianrast]

I'm sure she'll be happy to hear that.

[deadxkorps]

Thank you, lanrast, you really made me laugh. I'll borrow your answer when I see other types of insipid comments like that.

[minervamcgonagall86]

ditto, well said!

[alexlgraham]

Well, Ian McKellen is gay. Does that affect your judgement of him or his ability to play parts at all?

[diddymuck]

don't wanna schtump Ian McKellen. BTW...insipid comment??? I provided nothing inappropriate. Just said didn't know and that I still like her. Accept.

[jamesjeffreypaul]

Thank you so much for posting this!

I've been trying for years to get a copy of the Time-Life video of McKellen's 1970 TV production of EDWARD II. Do you have a copy of this, sir? If so, could you please post it?

[ShinyShinyPlayThing]

Two of our greatest, most intelligent actors: thank you.

[strangebrooch]

I have wanted to see anything of McKellen's Richard II for practically forever. THANK YOU for this! I just wish they would stop TALKING over him!

[seekerofdeth]

Fascinating comparison thanks!