Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Richard III: Benedict Cumberbatch to read poem at the reinterment

LEICESTER MERCURY
By PA_Warzynski  |  Posted: March 24, 2015

29712513

Actor and proven descendant of Richard III Benedict Cumberbatch will read a poem at the king's reinterment on Thursday.

Cumberbatch, who will be playing Richard III in the BBC series The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses, will read a work penned by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.

The actor was recently identified as a third cousin, 16 times removed of King Richard lll.

Duffy was commissioned late last year by Leicester Cathedral, as plans for the services for the week were being discussed and drawn up.


The poem is entitled 'Richard' and it is described as "a meditation on the impact of his finding and on the legacy of his story".

The poet said: "It is a privilege to be involved, in a small way, in this unique event and to have seen the style and grace with which the City of Leicester has made history alive."

As his tomb will soon be revealed, the 14 line poem includes the phrase 'grant me the carving of my name', which is what has at last been achieved in the creation of the tomb in Leicester Cathedral.



Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Richard-III-Benedict-Cumberbatch-read-poem/story-26223310-detail/story.html#ixzz3VKtemzQu
Follow us: @Leicester_Merc on Twitter | leicestermercury on Facebook


No comments: