2010's
Theatre Productions
2010-2011
Max Kellerman, Dirty Dancing, Aldwych Theatre London
Written by Eleanor Bergstein and set in New York in the Summer of 1963, Dirty Dancing chronicles Baby Houseman's coming of age at Kellerman's resort in the Catskill Mountains. Richard played the part Max Kellerman for the last 18 months at the Aldwych Theatre in London before the show closed and went on tour.
One of the most successful musicals in West End history, Dirty Dancing opened in October 2006 with a record breaking £15 million advance in sales making it the fastest selling show in West End history. Richard played Max Kellerman, the Catskill Mountains resort owner and friend of Baby's father. Police were actually in the auditorium for second shows on friday and saturday nights to control fans.
Reviews
Dirty Dancing was seen by nearly 2 million people in London, and was the longest running show in the history of the Aldwych Theatre, with critics describing the show as ‘spectacular’, ‘magnificent’ and ‘the biggest live theatre sensation of all time’.
"This pulsating, dynamically choreographed production offers something distinct and more intimate than the celluloid experience..."
Nicholas De Jongh, Evening Standard
2011
Russell, The Swan, National Theatre - Paintframe -
Field Commander Goodman,
There Is A War, National Theatre - Paintframe
Double Feature
Four new plays presented by hot new directors in the Paintframe location of the National Theatre. Richard had the part of Russell in Double Feature 1 "The Swan" and Field Commander Goodman in Double Feature 2 "There Is A War". The Paintframe was used as a new space while the Cottesloe underwent refurbishment as the Dorfman Theatre.
Here are two excellent reviews of Richard's performance:
Timeout
London Evening Standard
2012
Horst Ehmke, Democracy, Sheffield Theatres and The Old Vic Theatre - London
Democracy, written by Michael Frayn and directed by Paul Miller, ran at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre from March 8-31 and played at the Old Vic. Richard played the part of Horst Ehmke to stellar reviews, see below:
Two exclusive interviews with Richard:
Star Interview
Sheffield Telegraph
Guardian
FT
British Theatre Guide
The Star
'Richard Hope is especially fine as a chief of staff whose lackadaisical vetting procedures do not warrant much scrutiny'
Winner of the Evening Standard Award and Critics’ Circle Best Play awards, Democracy is a thrilling portrayal of a political visionary who changes the face of German politics. Michael Frayn’s 2003 drama explores the extraordinary relationship that developed between Willy Brandt, the West German Chancellor from 1969 to 1974, and his assistant, Gunter Guillaume, whose exposure as a spy for the East German state security service — the Stasi - precipitated Brandt’s downfall
Democracy opened in Sheffield and transferred to The Old Vic. It was the first show to do so in Daniel Evans tenure, now Artistic Director at Chichester.
2012
The Duke of Albany, King Lear
Almeida Theatre
Richard played the Duke of Albany in this stunning production of King Lear directed by Michael Attenborough and starring Jonathan Pryce at the Almeida Theatre.
See an except from the Director's cut here
The Vocal Eyes description of the Duke of Albany is " Goneril’s husband, the Duke of Albany is a decade or so older than her. Mild-mannered and in portly middle age, his eyes are kindly and his demeanour softens at developing signs of injustice'
2014
Elizabeth 1/ Narrator/ Chorus, Orlando -
The Royal Exchange, Manchester
Played Queen Elizabeth and Narrator in Orlando at Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre , Orlando with Suranne Jones
Review for Orlando with picture:
Written by Virginia Woolf. Adapted by Sarah Ruhl. Directed by Max Webster.
A time travelling gender-swapping comedy that romps across continents and centuries.
See Suranne Jones talking about the production here
Reviews
Manchester Evening News Review
"Richard Hope particularly shines as Elizabeth I gliding across the stage like a demented Dalek – snarling, predatory and repulsive." BBC
Click here for a review from the Royal Exchange, Manchester
Suranne Jones as Orlando, Richard Hope as Queen
Elizabeth
Photos ©Jonathan Keenan
2015
Performer, Mendelssohn’s 'Midsummer Night’s Dream', City of London Sinfonia, Southwark Cathedral
Narrator and Performer, Shostakovich’s 'Hamlet', City of London Sinfonia, Village Underground
Reviews: https://www.theartsdesk.com/classical-music/city-london-sinfonia-layton-southwark-cathedral-2
Richard had already performed with City of London Sinfonia with the RSC at Hampton Court Palace playing Oberon/ Thesus in Medelssohn's Midsummer Nights Dream
2015
Hector, The History Boys , Selladoor - UK Tour
Played Hector in The History Boys by Alan Bennett for a seven month UK Tour.
Click here to view a clip of History Boys
The History Boys at The Kings Theatre
Set in the 1980s, The History Boys is the story of a group of bright, funny and unruly sixth-formers in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university. Their maverick English teacher is at odds with the young and shrewd supply teacher, whilst their headmaster is obsessed with results and league tables. Staffroom rivalry and the anarchy of adolescence overflow, provoking insistent questions about history and how you teach it. Their A Levels may be over, but their true education is only just beginning. - See more at Sell A Door
Reviews
"...Poldark star Richard Hope whose portrayal of the maverick, but painfully lonely, English master Douglas Hector leaves your heart aching"
Read more at Cambridge News
"...an immaculate and understated performance from Richard Hope"
Angela Singer, Hunts Post
Hector, The History Boys , Selladoor - UK Tour
2015-2017
Sidney Godolphin, Queen Anne, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford and Haymarket Theatre - London
Raging debates over ideological wars, rising national debt, expenses scandals, a rejected lover's threats to make private correspondence public, and an abundance of political satire
Reviews
"Queen Anne is a fresh, moving and exciting piece of work amplifying the important female voices that history all too often ignores""...great turns from Richard Hope as Lord Godolphin..."
Heather Kincaid review
2018-2019
Arthur Kipps, The Women in Black,
Fortune Theatre - London
Susan Hill’s thriller is a real rollercoaster for any actor. Richard played for 11 months with Mark Hawkins as The Actor.
Sir Rod Stewart an old friend came with his family to see the show on Christmas Eve.