As portrayed by Gregory Sims, Richard is an unscrupulously ambitious man who stops at nothing to rise to power. Sims succeeds in giving Richard a cynically vile persona, with a certain wicked sense of humor at times. Richard’s partial physical deformity is artfully depicted, at times becoming an asset in his deranged ascent.

The character often addresses the audience, as if engaging them into his complicity, then showing how easily he can betray the confidence by ordering the death of a perceived enemy whether justified or not. We first see his treachery when he orders the death of his brother Clarence after trumping up a story that purports a threat from things bearing the letter “G”, (Clarence is George, 1st Duke of Clarence) and the G in his name becomes the threat and he is imprisoned in the Tower of London where he is eventually murdered.

The primarily male cast is balanced by the strong performances of the women who, even though apparently powerless, have a strong influence on the story line. Alexis Wolfe, as Lady Anne, manages a convincing appearance as the woman whose husband is killed by Richard and later allows herself to be convinced to marry him after he advances a cynical skewed argument. Kimberly Atkinson is excellent as the wife of Edward IV, who at his death names Richard as Protector, but when Edward’s young son becomes king, Richard eventually has him killed as he paves the way to the eventual throne. Kathy Bell Denton is a powerful Queen Margaret, who scowls and curses everyone as the embittered widow of Henry VI who was killed to get Edward IV to the throne. Richard also had her son killed and Denton manages a believable righteous anger at everyone involved in the deception. Cynthia Beckert gives a strong performance as the Duchess of York, mother of Richard and the murdered Clarence who eventually curses Richard for his fowl deeds.

As the story progresses, we see Richard becoming more irrational and contradictory. His followers begin to turn away and he is finally drawn into battle at Bosworth Field. It is there that the Earl of Richmond leads his inspired army to a victory where he eventually duels Richard III to his death, taking over the throne as Henry VII (Cameron Cash). Then he marries Elizabeth, the woman that Richard lusted after when he had Lady Anne killed.  It is in this scene where the famous quote of "... my kingdom for a horse!" is screamed in terror by Richard who realizes he is facing certain death.

With all the characters and situations the play flirts around with an almost three hour time span, made easily tolerable by the swift and constant action and the tight direction. Scenes flow into one another and the sometimes difficult Shakespearean speech is easily grasped as the actors bring the words to life. This is an excellent presentation and Shakespeare fans will appreciate that it has not been updated, adapted or diversity-cast as many of the Bard’s works are often done. Not that there is anything wrong with that when done properly. But it’s nice to see a play that is close to the original with minimal liberties where the story and the substance of the plot take precedence over the style. But then again, fools or not, the people in this company know how to put on a great show.

Sacred Fools Theater Company, 660 N. Heliotrope Dr., Los Angeles, CA  90004 Runs through FEBRUARY 25, 2012 - Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm plus Thurs, 2/9 @ 8pm & Sun, 2/19 @ 7pm TICKETS: $20. Reservations at (310) 281-8337 or Buy Tickets Online

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The cast of Richard III: