Review: (Montreal) Richard III

Metachroma presents a murderous, mad Richard III

by Rebecca Ugolini

A production of Richard III is an ambitious project to undertake for any theatre company, let alone one presenting its inaugural feature. Metachroma Theatre, a young Montreal-based theatre company whose mandate is to address the lack of visible minorities in Canadian theatre, deftly handles the long and complex Richard III by paying equal respect to the play’s violent, tragic, and humourous themes. 

Jamie Robinson is everything a Richard should be—perfectly hateable and yet irresistible, glib, sly, and as the Acts move on, increasingly terrifying and detestable. Whether he occupies the centre stage or stalks along in the background of a scene, he is the one to watch, and in those mute moments, his freakish, funny facial contortions speak almost as loudly as his acid-laden speeches.

The Sunday Read: Introducing Metachroma Theatre

Introducing Metachroma Theatre!

(Metachroma Theatre is: Quincy Armorer, Glenda Braganza, Tamara Brown, Lucinda Davis, Julie Tamiko Manning, Mike Payette, Jamie Robinson, and Warona Setshwaelo.)

Some frequently asked questions about Metachroma:

How did you come up with the name Metachroma? What does it mean?

Metachroma literally means “beyond colour” in Greek. It all ties in with with the notion of perception. We were looking for a name that would speak to the way that we wanted to be able to tell stories.

What's Metachroma about? 

Metachroma Theatre addresses the under-representation of visible minority actors in Canadian theatre, challenging current perceptions by telling stories with a diverse cast in order to normalize the presence of these artists on stage.