Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival presents 'Richard II' at Carlin Park

Whether you've read every work by the Bard or your knowledge of Shakespeare is limited to movies like "Shakespeare in Love" or  mere snippets from movies like "Tombstone," The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival is back and is bringing an opportunity to see the real deal with its production of "Richard II."

Presented in partnership with the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department, the play will go on  Thursday through Sunday at the Seabreeze Amphitheater at Carlin Park in Jupiter.

Photos from last year's "Twelfth Night": Shakespeare In The Palms: 'Twelfth Night' at Commons Park in Royal Palm Beach

More places to go: Yelp names 8 restaurants in Palm Beach County 'Best Places to Eat in Florida'

Though more accurately known as "The Life and Death of King Richard the Second," and commonly called "Richard II," it is believed to have been written around 1595.

The first of Shakespeare's history plays, this is a story about power and plotting.

Based on the life of King Richard II of England (who ruled from 1377 to 1399), it chronicles his downfall and the machinations of his nobles.

Organizers at the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival said they chose this particular piece for several reasons.

By her estimation, co-producer Elizabeth Dashiell says it contains some of the most beautiful language of all his works, describing it as "poetry that doesn't need to rhyme." She also added that it really comes to life when spoken by Shakespearean actors.

Festival organizers said they also settled on this work because it deals with many political aspects that seemed relevant to today's world, including the nature of succession and the sometimes not-so-peaceful transition of power.

Dashiell said that time is a key component of the play and that artistic director Trent Stephens cleverly signals the passage of time through several wardrobe changes. Starting with period clothing, the outfits become more contemporary as the production progresses.

In addition to the play itself, the festival will host sword fighting demonstrations on Friday and Saturday, put on by the local branch for the Society of Creative Anachronism known as Shire of Sea March.

Food trucks, including the K&J Seafood Truck and a Tropical Sno Truck, will be on hand.

Guests can also bring their own food and beverages (including alcoholic drinks).

In the past, some attendees have fully embraced the evening by bringing meals and drinks representative of the period in which the play is set.

Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and/or blankets. They also should consider a small umbrella to provide shade from the sun (gates open at 6 p.m.) or protection from a brief shower.

Parents are welcome to bring their children, but are asked to remove them from near the stage area if they begin "expressing themselves exuberantly" so as not to disrupt others enjoying the performance.

There is a playground adjacent to the grassy seating area.

Well-behaved pets, on leashes, also are welcome.

If you just can't make it out to see "Richard II," have no fear: The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival, in conjunction with the Village of Royal Palm Beach, will perform the play again July 21-24 at Commons Park in Royal Palm Beach.

Where: Seabreeze Amphitheater, Carlin Park, 750 SR A1A, Jupiter

When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Information: pbshakespeare.org

Cost: Free ($5 donation suggested)

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He has lived in the West Palm Beach area for more than 30 years and, from mild to wild, will cover noteworthy community happenings. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival presents "Richard II" at Carlin Park