The Delaware Shakespeare Festival celebrates five years of outdoor productions of William Shakespeare with the renowned historical-drama Richard III. DSF alum David Stradley (Much Ado About Nothing, Love's Labour's Lost, As You Like It) takes on the formidable role of Richard in this classic piece of theater. The production will be the focal point of the theatre Festival held over three weekends in the summer from July 27th - August 11th in Rockwood Park.

Unhappy in the peacetime following England's War of the Roses, Richard III -Shakespeare's favorite villain - wages his own private war as he murders, manipulates, and marries his way to the throne. Family, friends, enemies (and the audience) all fall under the spell of Richard's devilish charm - until he falls on them and sends all toppling before him. Once crowned victorious, his charm turns to paranoia and his own inevitable fall from grace ensues. What begins in the "winter of our discontent" ends with the hero-villain pleading in vain for "A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse."

Richard III opens July 27th at 7pm and closes on August 11th. Tickets are $10 general admission and are available the day of the performance at Rockwood Park. Audience members are encouraged to arrive an hour early to picnic and enjoy the pre-show retelling of The War of the Roses, a feud that provides the exposition for the play. Music and some children's craft activities are also provided.

The Delaware Shakespeare Festival, founded in 2003, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Festival seeks to make Shakespeare accessible to everyone and to be an annual summer tradition in the First State.