SHAKESPEARE'S Richard III begins its run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre this week.

The play, set in the bloody period at the end of the Wars of the Roses, stars Henry Goodman in the title role, described as "one of Shakespeare's most extraordinary and powerful villains".

Henry Goodman has appeared in many RSC productions, notably Henry V and The Comedy of Errors.

The cast also includes Maureen Beattie as Queen Elizabeth, John Lloyd Fillingham as Catesby, Ian Gelder as George, Duke of Clarence and Malcolm Sinclair as Buckingham

The play runs until November. Tickets are available from 0870 609 1110 or online at www.rsc.org.uk