I first saw a version of Richard III at Liverpool's Everyman Theatre where the ill-fated king was portrayed as a skinhead.
That stark image stayed with me until I saw Laurence Olivier and Al Pacino's Shakespeare interpretations.
I am always open to all takes on the enigmatic ruler.
This latest 'fleshing out' of the much-maligned monarch comes from accomplished actor Kyle Rowe starring in the debut play by popular historical novelist Philippa Gregory.
It is a stylish, clever and intriguing dissection of the Tudor era and especially the powerful and oft-scheming women surrounding Richard.
In just under two and a half hours this world premiere co-production with Theatre Royal l, Bury St Edmunds packs a lot in and a lot of punch.
Director Katie Posner knows exactly how to pace this-highly entertaining piece and her eight strong cast are a joy to watch throughout It's the type of fact-filled, thought-provoking theatre I wish we had available during school days.
It's healthy to question the past.
Here 'history' is personified by a white frock-coated lecturer (Tom Kanji) carrying a huge tome on the life of Richard.
Our king of 500 years ago arrives on stage emerging from the underground.
And the two discuss fact and fiction - sometimes with a real passionate frenzy.
We hear in the process another side of Richard's history . . . his - story.
Set in-the-round, figures come and go plotting along the wlay many in stunning costumes as if they have stepped off a Phillipa Gregory book front cover.
The lighting and minimal props are very effective throughout.
When Richard's body was discovered in a Leicester car park back in 2015 it made global news and many scholars re-evaluated Richard's life.
This intelligent and at times witty drama helps fill in some of the gaps we now know exist.
The finale is beautiful . . . now that's not something I would have said about any work about Richard when I first came across this historical figure.
Richard, My Richard is a chance to soak in some history and question the reliability of the Bard and his portrait of a multi-murdering Plantagenent.
Verdict: Four stars - Richard Re-mastered
The production is on until March 30
Tickets are from 0151 433 7156 or Shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk
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