RICHARD III

Ready? After years of civil unrest between the royal houses of York and Lancaster, Edward IV (York) is udisputed King. However, his brother Richard has other ideas - he plots to seize the throne for himself, removing anybody in his path. Starting with his othre brother George, who on Richard's orders is arrested for treason and put to death. On hearing of George's death, Edward is taken ill and dies. Edward's widow, Elizabeth, mistrusts Richard and is proved right when he has her brothers Rivers and Grey executed. In his new role as Lord Protector, Richard has Edward's two young sons and heirs confined, supposedly for safekeeping but later has them killed. The Duke of Buckingham becomes Richard's chief advisor and together they mastermind a plan to ensure Richard's accession to the throne. Richard promises Buckingham an earldom for his help but refuses to grant it immediately following his coronation. Buckingham, fearing for his safety, flees to join the last Lancastrian heir, Richmond, who is amassing an invasion force in France. Buckingham is later captured and put to death by Richard. Having willed the death of his wife Lady Anne, Richard plans to marry Edward's daughter, Elizabeth (she has the same name as her mother - it makes things more dramatic), to strengthen his claim to the throne. Richmond and his army arrive in England and the two armies meet for battle. The night before things really kick off, the ghosts of his victims torment Richard in his dreams. The next day Richard is killed and Richmond claims the crown as Henry VII. He announces he will marry Elizabeth (the daughter, not the mother) and finally unite the two warring families.

Whew... Richard III is a truly epic Shakespearean masterpiece in all its Machiavellian splendour.