No Hoorays for Henry IV; Light Fantastic ... Jonathan Slinger Is 'Terrific' as King Richard, with Hannah Barrie as Queen Isabel in Richard II

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Byline: Robert Gore-Langton

Richard II Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon 3hrs 15mins (includinginterval)

Henry IV Part 1 Courtyard Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon 3hrs 10mins (including interval)

Henry IV Part 2 Courtyard Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon 3hrs 10mins (including interval)

Two cheers only for this three-play marathon as the Royal Shakespeare Companyploughs through the History plays at its home in Stratford. I say two cheersbecause although Richard II is a superb production, the two Henrys aren't and,frankly, ten hours' theatre in a single day is a bottom-bruising event evenwhen the work is top-notch.

The shows all share one set …