King Richard III has undergone quite the transformation thanks to modern technology, as his voice has been recreated with the charming Yorkshire accent he likely spoke with over 500 years ago. This remarkable achievement was showcased at York Theatre Royal, where a digital avatar of the medieval king made its public debut on November 17.
Richard III, who ruled England from 1483 until his death just two years later, has had his legacy shaped through time by various interpretations, most notoriously through William Shakespeare's classic tragedy. With this innovative project, the voice of King Richard is being brought to life, offering enthusiasts and historians alike a fascinating glimpse at how he might have actually sounded.
The voice project, which took more than ten years to materialize, started as what Yvonne Morley-Chisholm, the voice teacher and vocal coach behind the initiative, initially described as after-dinner entertainment. Morley-Chisholm mentioned, "It came about when I was with voice teachers and speech therapists, meeting up and brainstorming interesting topics. I had pondered on the recent discovery of Richard's remains beneath a car park and became excited about the potential to explore how he would have spoken. I figured, ‘If we can recreate his face, why not his voice?’”
This curiosity led to extensive research, which has since evolved beyond mere entertainment. Alongside cranio-facial identification expert Professor Caroline Wilkinson and other specialists, Morley-Chisholm began delving deep to reconstruct Richard's likely speech patterns. “I utilized evidence from various fields such as speech therapy, dentistry, forensic psychology, and archaeology to piece together how Richard would have articulated and pronounced words,” she explained.
An avatar of Richard III was built by the team at Face Lab at Liverpool John Moores University. This involved detailed, scientific reconstructions based on forensic findings, using the data obtained from the skeletal remains identified back in 2012. With the physical appearance developed, the next step was to draft Richard’s voice. This proved to be no easy task.
Merging technology with historical inquiry, the specialists explored Richard’s handwriting, contemporary literature spelling, and firsthand accounts from his contemporaries to build up as full of a picture as possible about how he might have spoken. Philippa Langley, who played a pivotal role in the discovery of Richard's remains, recounted, "We analyzed his character through available historical documents, including diaries and letters from those who knew him. This informed us not just of how he spoke, but the essence of his personality—earnest and loyal, yet not without his flaws."
To deliver the avatar's performance, actor Thomas Dennis was recruited after extensive auditions. His task was not just to mimic the accent but also to embody the spirit of Richard III. Together with Morley-Chisholm and other experts at Face Lab, Dennis was responsible for delivering scripted lines like those Richard might have used if he were addressing his subjects about the conferment on his son, Edward.
Richard III’s reign has long been one marred by controversy and debate. Once thought to be power-hungry and cruel, his historical portrayal has transformed over time, with more recent scholarship shedding light on other aspects of his character. According to insights from Morley-Chisholm, historical accounts compiled by his contemporaries paint him as capable and brave, demonstrating loyalty to his people.
With his digital avatar now showcasing this Yorkshire-inflected voice, audiences are now confronted with the reality of this once-revered monarch, deepening their appreciation and research of the iconic figure. Excitement buzzed through those attending the York Theatre Royal, as individuals witnessed the marriage of historical research and technological innovation.
This endeavor not only entertains but provokes thought and discussion about our historical narratives and how technology can enrich our comprehension of the past. What would Richard III himself have thought of this modern retelling of his life and voice?
Now, with the combination of voice and image, people can experience history like never before. Though literally centuries have passed since Richard III ruled, projects like these shed light on figures often relegated to dusty pages or the stage, breathing new life—and voice—into their stories.
