'Richard II' rules at Skagit Valley College

Go to Skagit Valley College’s Phillip Tarro Theatre to see an energetic and disciplined cast perform Shakespeare’s “Richard II.” The large cast is well dressed, especially Richard (Michael Trochie), in his gowns and highly embroidered robe, with its three foot train.

Director Damond Morris’s Richard is a super-agent, confident from the opening scene, when he banishes Henry of Bolingbroke (Matthew Small) and Mowbray (Eli Young), to the end when he nearly out fights the assassination team that murders him in prison.

Neither is historically true. England’s Richard II was weak of character and a weak monarch at the end of the 14th century. He did abdicate but probably was starved to death in prison. He had married a six year old to ensure peace with France. There were no passionate kisses when she (Claire Andrews) was exiled to France.

But the play’s the thing and Morris has well prepared his cast. They handle their poetic lines well: “Richard II” is entirely in verse. You will catch occasional rhymes.

The servants bring playfulness to their roles, as when the Gardner (Ziona Pettigrew) slaps her fellow Servant’s (Doug Offield) head as they prune in the garden living out the metaphor of weeds needing pulling and fruit trees cut down.

Trochie projects assuredness, helped by lines of checking in with God that he is His appointed ruler.

He plays his role broadly, as when visiting his counselor uncle John of Gaunt (Richard Callaghan) on his deathbed, but paying more attention to the silver goblets that his advisors stuff into burlap sacks once Gaunt dies.

The advisors: Bushy (Tracy Roscher), Bagot (Ricardo Dejesus Lopez) and Green (Offield), could be partners in a Wall Street investment house. They may remind old timers of Richard Nixon’s reign and a similar trio of advisors: Haldeman, Ehrlichman, and Haig. In history they were Richard’s cabinet.

Small, as Henry, has as large a role as Richard and is equally up to the task. He accepts banishment early, only to return in rebellion after Richard seizes the family estate. He will become King Henry IV.

The sparse stage is primarily set by the cast’s quality costumes. The performers’ presence and actions set each scene. Kudos to Mariam Smith and Mary May Hardt for designing and coordinating costumes.

Directors carefully choose their titles. This tale of a weak and corrupt king who loses the confidence of his nobles and the commoners alike and is unable to use foreign entanglements to gain favor at home has parallels with our times.

“Richard II” plays at 7:30 p.m. March 1, 2, 8 and 9 and 2 p.m. March 10. Tickets at the door or https://ticketing.mcintyrehall.org/TheatreManager/1/login?event=848.