Perhaps the Torrey Theater program is on the rebound, or maybe it’s in the winter of its discontent. This weekend’s performance, Shakespeare’s “Richard III” angles a sharp contrast with last semester’s “Peter Pan” and will be sans the pirates, fairy dust and even a stage.

The hour-long adaptation of the “Richard III” tragedy will debut in the Collegium’s smaller, intimate setting as the first of Shakespeare’s histories to ever be produced as a Torrey production Director Kat Zilka, a senior, says she feels the new venue will add to the perspective on Shakespearian theater that she hopes to inspire.

Zilka, who directed the “Peter Pan” production in fall of ’08, hopes to bring the production to life in a way that appeals to all audiences, not just Shakespearian theater buffs. Her goal as a director is to move away from theater that merely recreates a film environment and rather inspire the audience to appreciate theater for its unique attributes.

“My vision for this production is to enliven Shakespeare, to make it accessible, fresh, compelling and invigorating,” Zilka said.

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“The play is very physical. Very movement based, visually stimulating, exhilarating. The hope is to create energy,” Zilka said.

A 30-minute stretching and vocal warm-up session begins the rehearsals, which have been held since the first week of February, Monday through Thursday from 9 to 12 in the evening.

The cast of “Richard III” features senior Lindsey Robertson, junior Daniel Tavizon sophomores Chelsea White and Jonny Mueller, and freshmen Alyson Thomas and Peter Heald. As a cast, the actors all change characters throughout the play, often without ever leaving the stage. A stylistic choice, this is meant to add creativity, not confusion, to the production and Zilka is confident that it will prove to be successful.

The ensemble cast rehearsal is filled with palpable, engaging tension. The actors project and enunciate their lines, and control their portrayals of each individual character well. Their love for theater is evident in the way they embody the roles, not just performing the assigned actions.

Both a tragedy and a history, “Richard III’ is one of the most difficult adaptations Zilka could have chosen, but the play still promises to be both engaging and entertaining. Performances will take place this weekend and next in the Collegium. Tickets, $8.50, are being sold outside the Caf all this week.