ODYSSEY THEATRE Alfred Molina and
Jack Stehlin star as Buckingham and Richard III in
the Odyssey Theatre’s "Richard III. "
By Scott Schultz
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
In the Circus Theatrical Ensemble’s two-and-a-half hour
production of “Richard III” at the Odyssey Theatre, the
production is carried by two extraordinary performances.
Jack Stehlin and Alfred Molina provide tour de force work as
Richard III and his “political consultant”
Buckingham.
Richard III is one of Shakespeare’s most vile and
blood-thirsty villains. The former Duke of Gloucester wielded a
violent path of destruction on his way to the throne of England.
And in Shakespeare’s play named after the murderous king, the
Bard has the evil Richard revel in the plotting of his homicidal
schemes, which he shares with the audience.
Stehlin, who is on stage for virtually the entire play, provides
a multi-layered presence that is hideous, monstrous and offensive,
while maintaining the charm and charisma essential to seducing the
audience as he cuts a bloody path on his way to the crown.
 ODYSSEY THEATRE Jack Stehlin portrays
Richard III, the evil character embraced by Shakespeare-lovers.
Stehlin’s work is physical and he is able to balance the
horror effectively with the lighter, yet darkly humorous moments.
His portrayal of Richard convinces the audience to side with him as
he proceeds with his dastardly actions.
Molina, who was nominated for a Tony Award in 1998 for his role
in the play “Art,” is smoothly deceitful in his role as
Richard’s conniving cousin Buckingham, who uses
Richard’s treachery as an opportunity to attain his own
status as a noble.
Molina, through his seemingly effortless performance as
Buckingham, provides a perfect sidekick for the Stehlin’s
scenery-chewing title-role performance.
One of the most innovative and effective scenes in the
production is the utilization of a filmed sequence which precedes
the final battle scene. During this scene, the ghosts of all the
characters left in Richard’s bloody wake curse Richard while
blessing his rival, the Earl of Richmond from the House of Tudor,
who eventually becomes king.
The ghost scene effectively prevents the audience from rooting
with Richard for his final scene as he faces his deserved
demise.
The play is not difficult to follow, even for non-Shakespeare
readers. The program provides the audience with the historical
background and Richard is straightforward enough with his
intentions so that everyone can follow the psychotic Duke as he
follows his blood-lust to the crown.