Hangmen at the Wyndham’s theatre

David Morrissey marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death - speaking the opening lines from Richard III: ‘Now is the winter of our discontent’ To mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, The Guardian has asked leading actors to perform key speeches from his plays. Here, David Morrissey speaks the opening lines from Richard III in which the scheming Richard lays out his plan to turn his brothers, the Duke of Clarence and the newly enthroned King Edward IV, against each other. Read the full text for this speech Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York; And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. 5 Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; Our bruised arms hung up for monuments; Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, Our dreadful marches to delightful measures. Grim-visaged war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front; 10 And now, instead of mounting barded steeds To fright the souls of fearful adversaries, He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber To the lascivious pleasing of a lute. But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks, 15 Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass; I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty To strut before a wanton ambling nymph; I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion, Cheated of feature by dissembling nature, 20 Deformed, unfinish'd, sent before my time Into this breathing world, scarce half made up, And that so lamely and unfashionable That dogs bark at me as I halt by them; Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace, 25 Have no delight to pass away the time, Unless to spy my shadow in the sun And descant on mine own deformity: And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover, To entertain these fair well-spoken days, 30 I am determined to prove a villain And hate the idle pleasures of these days. Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous, By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams, To set my brother Clarence and the king 35 In deadly hate the one against the other: And if King Edward be as true and just As I am subtle, false and treacherous, This day should Clarence closely be mew'd up, About a prophecy, which says that 'G' 40 Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be. Dive, thoughts, down to my soul. BOOKING Book tickets to Hangmen starring David Morrissey Book tickets to the Royal Shakespeare Company

Martin McDonagh’s award-winning smash hit Hangmen recoups in under six weeks. After a decade-long absence from the London stage, Martin McDonagh’s award-winning new play Hangmen has recouped in under six weeks playing at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End. Premiering at the Royal Court in September 2015, Hangmen immediately struck a chord with audiences, selling out the run and receiving critical acclaim. Whilst the success of the West End transfer was never assured, Hangmen which closes on 5 March 2016 has surpassed all expectations. Produced in the West End by Playful Productions and the Royal Court, it is likely a national tour is in the offing. Matthew Byam Shaw, Producer for Playful Productions, said, “No-one expected a play about public lynchings to go wild at the box office over Christmas, but Hangmen is so entertaining and unique, the public has decided that this is the new play to see.” Lucy Davies, Exec Producer at the Royal Court said, “We programmed this play at the Royal Court in May, opened it to sold out houses in September, it transferred by Christmas, and has recouped by January. This has been a textbook example of how incredibly fruitful, confident and nimble the collaboration between subsidised theatres, commercial producers and theatre owners can be. It has been a very happy project, and we are delighted that audiences have embraced its brilliance, and its extraordinary craft.” The full West End cast includes: Josef Davies, James Dryden, Johnny Flynn, Tony Hirst, John Hodgkinson, Bronwyn James, David Morrissey, Andy Nyman, Craig Parkinson, Ryan Pope, Sally Rogers, Mark Rose and Simon Rouse. Hangmen plays until 5 March 2016 at the Wyndham's Theatre. BOOKING Book tickets to Hangmen

Martin McDonagh's hit new play Hangmen, currently playing at the Royal Court theatre, is to transfer to the West End later this year. Hangmen which is sold-out has received numerous 5-star reviews with Susannah Clapp from the Guardian tipping that Hangmen will be the Royal Court’s next Jerusalem. The play, which is McDonagh's first UK play in a decade, will play a limited season at Wyndham's Theatre from 1 December 2015 until 5 March 2016. Royal Court artistic director Vicky Featherstone said: "We are delighted that Hangmen will have a future life in the West End. It’s been thrilling to be able to continue the legacy of Martin McDonagh’s work at the Royal Court. Hangmen will become a modern classic. This stunning production has been a huge success here and a commercial life will mean it can be seen by many more people – which is, after all, why we make theatre.” Full casting is yet to be announced by original cast members David Morrissey and Johnny Flynn will reprise their roles. Hangmen is directed by Matthew Dunster and has design by Anna Fleischle, lighting by Joshua Carr and sound by Ian Dickinson. BOOKING Book tickets to Hangmen