Richard III at Shakespeare's Globe was always going to have to pull out all the stops purely because it's The Globe. I'm not fond of the venue - uncomfortable seating, distracting audience, to name just two of my regular complaints although on this rare occasion I can't say it was cold as it was a beautiful summer's afternoon.

It was the draw of Mark Rylance which had me parting with cash, perhaps he would succeed in distracting me from the discomfort and the distractions*. And he did, at times.

His Richard was definitely playing for laughs, not so much evil but a cheeky scoundrel who does abhorrent things. Quite mild and gentle in his manner only succumbing to rage late into his downfall. And perhaps he was a little too gentle, he didn't feel as dangerous as Richard should. 

There was something of his Jerusalem character Rooster in his performance which surprised me as I was expecting something quite different. 

Of course this being Shakespeare's Globe this is a Richard about as traditional as you can get with the cast in Jacobean garb**, minimal props and no sets to speak of. But aside from the live music and the traditional song and dance at the end it just felt lacking.

Maybe I've just got accustomed to all the thrills and spills that normally accompany Shakespeare on a big stage, although the Richard III I saw in Stratford last week was similarly sparse in set and props but that still felt exciting and engaging. There is something quite cartoon-like about actors in Jacobean costume, it just conjures up pictures of Shakespeare caricatures and ultimate it just doesn't satisfy.