A Musical in Two Acts 
The musical begins at Bosworth Field on the eve of the Richard’s final battle. He takes to his bed and is visited by a series of portentous ghosts from his past (“The Night When it Falls”). Led by the Ghost of King Henry the Sixth, Richard is transported back in time to significant scenes from his past life.

Henry introduces Anne Neville, and we see how Richard rescues her from servitude in his
brother’s house. Despite reservations, she decides to marry him (“I’m not the Fool”). The
story moves onto the court of King Edward the Fourth, Richard’s brother, and we see the
conflict between Richard and the Queen, formerly Elizabeth Woodville. Along with the Duke of Buckingham , Richard rails against the Queen’s family, an upstart faction- (“Who Can You Trust?).
 
Later, Richard hears of King Edward’s death and realises that he has to manoeuvre himself into a position of power to stop the Woodville family ruling through the young, uncrowned,  King Edward the Fifth. He instals Anne and his own infant son in London and, with Buckingham’s help (“A Proclamation”), seizes the throne (“Who I Am”). Act 1 ends with Richard’s coronation.

Act 2 begins with Richard at Bosworth and again ghostly figures lead him to scenes from his past. Richard, now king, finds himself under threat and seeks Buckingham’s advice on how to secure his crown. Buckingham slyly implies that the young king and his brother will continue to be a threat and need to be despatched (“A Little Blood Spilt Now”). In the scene that follows Buckingham meets up with Margaret Beaufort, his aunt, and mother to the Lancastrian heir, Henry Tudor. Margaret persuades Buckingham to revolt against Richard- “(“Why Should We Forever Stand Aside”).
 
Richard’s mother Cecily and his wife Anne begin to question the fate of the young princes in the Tower. Richard becomes more agitated and insecure. The failure of Buckingham’s
rebellion brings him little relief. News arrives to Anne and Richard that their son, Edward, is perilously ill and they set out for the north. They arrive to find he has died. They reprise (“I’m not the Fool”). Not long after Henry the Sixth informs us that Anne’s heart is broken, and she too dies. Richard mourns her passing- (“Who I Am).
 
Richard finally awakens from his haunted reverie on the eve of battle and prepares to fight Henry Tudor. He is betrayed by his followers and in his reckless determination is slain. The chorus reflect on the horrors of war and the consequences for innocent civilians in the final hymn (“In England’s Noble Cause”).