Richardus Tertius (1579)

Original id: 
8066
Start date: 
1 March 1579
End date: 
31 March 1579
Degree of relationship to ancient play: 
Distant relative
Production notes: 
This "first English history-play that can be strictly so called, though it is not written in the vernacular" was probably produced at St John's College at the Bachelors' Commencement in March 1579/80 (see further Boas, pp.112-129). The actors were all men of St John's. The play was composed of three Actiones which were performed on successive evenings. The play is considered to be neo-Senecan, with "countless reminiscences of his phraseology and typical scenes" (Boas, p.129), for example, the opening scenes of the third Actio are partly modelled on Seneca's Phaedra.
Media of production: 
Stage-play
Languages: 
Latin

Information related to this production

Script Author(s)
Phaedra Seneca
Person Role Notes
Thomas Legge Writer
John Palmer Actor Richardus Rex
Venue Festival Dates Notes
St John's College (Cambridge, County of Cambridgeshire, England) performed in the Hall on three successive nights
Source Format Location if held at the APGRD Pagination
University Drama in the Tudor Age Book library 112-129, 388, 394-397 (cast list)

How to cite this production

Richardus Tertius (1579), accessed at http://www.apgrd.ox.ac.uk/productions/production/8066 <13 October 2024>