Director Marcus Weber told the audience before we went in last night that we were ‘privileged to see this play after its acclaimed premier season in France and now, finally on an Australian stage’. He also said it was ‘a pity that Australian Playwrights often have to work overseas’ for recognition.

I thought at the time that ‘privileged’ was quite a claim – but we were. This was easily the best play I’ve seen this year.

There’s a restaurant in Sydney CBD called Level 41 where, for up to $200 per person one is feted to around 14 dishes, everyone a miniscule masterpiece. That’s how I felt last night as the script, the masterful direction, staging/choreography, set, sound and lighting design combined to deliver surprise and delight.

And then there was the acting…Gerry Sont as Guy Laurence and Lucas Connolly as Bernard both turned in near faultless performances within this wonderful production that held the audience spellbound from beginning to end.

Mr Sont’s fluidity between different vocal adjustments and character traits was almost matched by his colleague. I spoke to a couple of audience members before and after the show, neither of whom were Shakespeare aficionados, about expectation and fulfillment. Both were excited about what they’d experienced.

I do love Shakespeare as long as it is not teased out of all recognition. But in this play the bard is used as a featured device in an exploration of the actor–as-prisoner, literally and in metaphor; though Gerry’s character has a couple of ‘profound’ observations about Richard III to share with us. I was ecstatic – and I’m not easily pleased.

RICHARD 111 (or almost) opened at the King Street Theatre, corner King and Bray streets, Newtown on Thursday 2nd May and runs until Friday 31st May, 2013. Do yourselves a favour and go see. You’ll love it.