The world is a slaughterhouse. The walls are tiled, body parts (from mannequins) are lying around in one corner. Shakespeare’s royal drama “Richard III.”, one of the most murderous, bloodiest plays in theater history, takes place here in the Vienna Academy Theater. The fact that it is still one of the most frequently performed speaks against a world in which this piece seems to remain as relevant as ever. Shakespeare bluntly shows how a power politician goes over his head, in the truest sense of the word. Richard puts unwelcome courtiers to shame as well as his brother; Not even women and children – he even had his two nephews murdered – were spared. Richard may be unattractive and physically disabled (clubfoot), but he is more intelligent and ruthless than everyone else.