<p>Shakespeare’s finest verse play is also his first portrait of the psychology of power.</p><p>The sensitive and poetic Richard II is undoubtedly the rightful king of England but he is unscrupulous and weak. When his cousin Henry Bolingbroke returns from banishment and mounts a challenge to his authority Richard’s right to the throne proves of little help to him. </P><P>Richard is forced to abdicate but as his power is stripped away he gains dignity and self-awareness and he meets his death heroically. Meanwhile Bolingbroke’s seizure of the crown has caused resentment among the nobles of England. </p><p>Rupert Graves is Richard II and Julian Glover is Bolingbroke. John Wood plays John of Gaunt.</p></p><P>A Blackstone Audio production.</P>