Kevin Spacey's Second Season at the Old Vic to Begin with Richard II

Kevin Spacey's second season as artistic director of the Old Vic will begin with a production of Richard II, starring Spacey in the title role. Trevor Nunn will direct the play, which will likely begin performances in September.

Spacey's first season as head of the Old Vic began in September with Maria Goos' Cloaca, which Spacey directed. It continued with Aladdin over the holiday season and, currently, the Old Vic is presenting Dennis McIntyre's National Anthems with Spacey, Mary Stuart Masterson and Steven Weber. While the productions have all sold well, Spacey has come under fire from the London press. Both Cloaca and National Anthems received mostly negative reviews, with many of the critics questioning whether Spacey should remain with the Old Vic.

William Shakespeare's Richard II tells the story of a weak king who is eventually overthrown by his cousin.

Spacey made his New York stage debut appearing in another Shakespeare play, Henry VI, Part I in Central Park. His role in Richard II will mark the first time he has performed Shakespeare in the United Kingdom.