ST PAUL, Minn. — 25-year-old Shakespearean actor Davis Carlson, who lives with spastic cerebral palsy, recently added his ninth straight performance of “Richard III” to his resume.
“Nobody else in this business can say they’ve only ever played lead roles,” said Carlson proudly. Putting on his performer’s voice, he recited: “‘Sent before my time into this breathing world, scarce half made up, and that so lamely and unfashionable that dogs bark at me as I halt by them …’ Honestly, I could do the entire role right now.”
The Bard’s famous historical play chronicles the rise and fall of the deformed Duke of Gloucester. The villainous protagonist is a popular role for disabled performers.
Carlson remembered his 11th grade English teacher awkwardly assigning him the role one day during his first reading of “Richard III.” He played the role during the 12th grade play without even auditioning.
Carlson has never acted in “Hamlet” or “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and he didn’t even finish reading “Othello.”
“I got halfway through act one and realized I was wasting my time because there’s no role for me,” said the actor. “I assume he dies at the end.”
When asked about his dream role, Carlson eagerly mentioned playing King Richard III in Shakespeare’s “Richard III” for the 10th time.