WBUR: What To Know About ‘Richard III’ Before Going To Shakespeare On The Common

You don’t have to know a whole lot about English history — or even have read the other “history plays” in the Shakespearean canon — to appreciate “Richard III,” which, in this production, features veteran Shakespearean actor, TV and film star Faran Tahir in the title role. Even so, it might help to know a little bit about the events the play addresses.