Doc Sherwood's Richard III, Act I

Cast:

RICHARD of Gloucester, brother to the King

George of CLARENCE, Richard's other brother

BRAKENBURY, a guard

DORSET, a courtier and enemy to Richard

DEIGHTON, an assassin

FORREST, an assassin

SCENE 1. The gates to the Tower of London.

Enter RICHARD.

RICHARD: My brother King Edward the Fourth, eldest boy of Richard of York, has ended the winter of our discontent. What else would you expect from such a shining son? War with the House of Lancaster is over, and to the victor go the spoils. You know what I’m talking about, right? Want to find one of our soldiers now, look for him where there’s music and wine, not to mention lovely ladies.

Pause.

RICHARD: So what do you think? Could that be my life too? No, thought not. You’re looking at a man dogs bark at in the street. Oh, I have talents, trust me, but they’re not the kind you’d need in a time of peace. Murder, for example. That, I can do, and smile while I’m doing it. And I can lie — in fact I’m a regular chameleon for changing my true colours. I could take Machiavelli himself to school. Can I do that, and not steal my brother's crown? Ha! Just watch this space!

He composes himself.

RICHARD: Now, I’ve stared rumours about a prophecy that will set King Edward against my other elder brother, George of Clarence. What can I say? It sucks to be the middle child. As poor old Clarence is about to find out — here he comes!

Enter CLARENCE, in chains, guarded and escorted by BRAKENBURY.

RICHARD: Brother, good day! Why are you chained and under armed guard?

CLARENCE: Our brother the King has decreed I be imprisoned in the Tower.

RICHARD: But why?

CLARENCE: Apparently there’s a prophecy that someone bearing the letter “G” will kill his two young heirs. So, because my name’s George, here I am.

RICHARD: Well, that’s hardly your fault! He might as well have arrested your godparents, for calling you that in the first place.

BRAKENBURY: Forgive me, my lords, but I have my orders, and we must go.

CLARENCE: Yes, Brakenbury, I’m coming.

RICHARD: I’ll speak to the King on your behalf, Clarence. In the meantime, have patience.

CLARENCE: Not much choice about that, Richard. Farewell.

Exit CLARENCE, led away by BRAKENBURY.

RICHARD: Farewell indeed. Plain, simple Clarence! Soon I’ll send you to Heaven, and if that’s not brotherly love, I’d like to know what is.

Exit RICHARD.

SCENE 2. The royal palace.

Enter RICHARD, carrying a paper.

RICHARD: Best read I've had all year! Move over, Chaucer. It's the death-warrant for my dear brother Clarence.

He pockets the paper. Enter DORSET.

RICHARD: Ah, my good lord Dorset. You’ll forgive me if I don’t kiss your hand, but I might catch something.

DORSET: I see you’re as witty as ever, my lord, which isn’t saying much. Now listen up. Your brother the King has pardoned Clarence, so here’s the order for his freedom. You’re to deliver it to the Tower at once.

DORSET hands RICHARD a paper. Exit DORSET.

RICHARD: An unexpected complication. Curse that Dorset, he’ll get his. Still, nothing I can’t handle.

Enter DEIGHTON and FORREST.

RICHARD: Ah, here come my executioners!

DEIGHTON : That’s us, my lord, at your service.

FORREST: So if you'll let us have the warrant, we’ll head on over to the Tower now and conclude your little bit of business.

RICHARD: Of course. I have it here all ready for you.

He gives DEIGHTON the paper from DORSET. Then, correcting himself, he takes it back and gives DEIGHTON instead the death-warrant from inside his pocket.

RICHARD: Now both of you just be careful. Clarence has the gift of the gab, and he’ll say anything to try and make you feel sorry for him. Don’t let that put you off.

DEIGHTON: Not to worry, my lord. We’re men of action, not words.

FORREST: And we'll be using our hands, not our tongues.

RICHARD: You cry millstones while fools cry tears. I like you lads. Get about your work.

Exit DEIGHTON and FORREST.

RICHARD: So, Clarence, your Christian name George has landed you in trouble, has it? Not to worry. By the time my friends are done with you, I promise you’ll be newly baptised.

Exit RICHARD.

SCENE 3. A prison cell in the Tower of London.

CLARENCE, and with him in the cell, BRAKENBURY.

CLARENCE: Oh, what a night I’ve had, full of terrible dreams! Maybe it's an omen that something even worse is just around the corner for me. Please, Brakenbury, stay by my side while I try to rest.

BRAKENBURY: I will, my lord. Here’s hoping tonight you get a good long sleep.

BRACKENBURY sits. CLARENCE lies down and sleeps. Enter DEIGHTON and FORREST.

FORREST: We might just be able to help him with that.

BRAKENBURY: Well now! What brings you men here?

DEIGHTON: Our legs brought us here, to have a word with him.

BRAKENBURY: Is that all you have to say for yourself?

DEIGHTON gives BRAKENBURY the warrant.

FORREST: Read it and weep, rent-a-guard.

BRAKENBURY reads it.

BRAKENBURY: It appears I’m under orders to hand the prisoner over to you. Well, there he lies asleep, and here are the keys. As for what this means, however, I think I’d rather not know.

DEIGHTON: He’ll go far, this one. Now hop it.

Exit BRAKENBURY.

FORREST: Do we stab him while he’s sleeping?

DEIGHTON: No. He’ll only call us cowards afterwards. Let him wake before we act, and then we’ll finish the job by drowning him in the barrel outside.

CLARENCE begins to stir.

CLARENCE: Where are you, Brakenbury? Can I have a cup of wine?

FORREST: You’ll have more than enough wine soon, my lord.

CLARENCE: In God's name, who are you men? There’s a dark look about you that chills me with menace. Have you come to do me harm?

DEIGHTON and FORREST draw their knives.

DEIGHTON: You might say that.

CLARENCE: But you’ll be damned forever if you do this!

FORREST: Do what? You mean serve our prince?

DEIGHTON: Richard, the King’s brother and yours, has appointed us to this task. What would you have a pair of loyal subjects do?

CLARENCE: But Richard would never command such a thing!

FORREST: With you out the way, he’s next in line to the throne. Don’t tell us you never saw this coming.

CLARENCE: Please, there must be some mistake. Go from me and talk to him!

DEIGHTON: That’s what we’re planning to do.

CLARENCE: But Richard and I love each other, and he’s kind!

DEIGHTON: He’s about as kind as blizzards at harvest-time. And we’re here to show you just what his love’s worth.

DEIGHTON and FORREST stab CLARENCE, who falls.

DEIGHTON: Looks like that did the trick, but just in case, let’s go hold his head down in that barrel of wine.

FORREST: I love our job.

Exit DEIGHTON and FORREST, dragging the body of CLARENCE.

End of Act I