It has been the most controversial production in the history of Shakespeare’s Globe.  There was no protest in 2012 when Mark Rylance starred as Richard III in an original practices production at the Globe.  However it would be unfair to say that those protesting about the casting of Artistic Director Michelle Terry as Richard are solely misogynistic.

I am pro disabled actors being considered for all parts but I am not in favour of parts being ring fenced for disabled actors only in the way that Othello is ring fenced for people of colour. It is about acting and creative choices and the part should go to the best person for the job in the choice of the director and casting director.  If we are to have colour blind and gender blind casting, it is also logical to have disability blind or ability blind casting.  So I fully support Michelle Terry playing the part of Richard III. 

The great irony about Richard III’s disability is that many in The Richard III Society felt the physical deformity had been invented by William Shakespeare. He was writing for Elizabeth I, the monarch who was the granddaughter of the Lancastrian Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, who defeats the Yorkist Richard at the Battle of Bosworth Field. 

In the most remarkable turn of events Richard III’s remains found under the car park in Leicester recently showed a slight curvature to the spine, spondylitis, but not so serious that it could not be disguised under bespoke clothing.  The most shocked at this revelation were modern supporters of Richard III who believe Henry VII had far more motive to dispose of the Princes in the Tower.