In honor of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, the University of Evansville Theatre is giving away 400 free tickets to their production of Richard III. The production closes the 2015–16 Shanklin Theatre season this weekend with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23, and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 24.

“We are thrilled to offer this rare opportunity to our community and invite them to join us in honoring the world’s most-produced playwright,” said Sharla Cowden, UE Theatre Managing Director.

In The Tragedy of King Richard III, the title character is such a cunning royal reprobate so deformed in body and spirit that even his mother rues the day he was born. In chilling psychopathic fashion, Richard III horrifyingly explains and executes his plans to kill his way to the English throne. Though he rules with a tyrant’s vengeance that is both backstabbing and bloody, we dare not turn away as his mesmerizing plot unfolds before us.

UE Theatre artistic director R. Scott Lank directed the production. “Shakespeare is still so relevant today because he writes about universal truths we all have in common: love, death, ambition, greed, and even the capacity for forgiveness,” said Lank. “We all can recognize ourselves in Shakespeare’s characters even 400 years later.”

Only 400 tickets will be available for the three remaining performances. To reserve a seat, call the ticket office at 812-488-2031 and use the code Shakespeare 400. Regular tickets are also still available at $15 for adults and $13 for senior adults and students. Thanks to a grant from the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, all area high school students can also see the show for free.