Julian Gilbert, Head of the Armour and Boot Department has worked at the RSC for 25 years. He and the other members of the Armoury and Boot Department provide the weaponry as well as making, recycling or adapting boots and shoes for every RSC production.

When the department starts to make weapons for a production, they discuss requirements with the director, fight director and stage management.

' We have our swords made by someone in Nottingham who makes all of our fighting swords. They're beautiful swords and fight directors tend to know these swords and want to use them. We do sometimes use retractable daggers, although they do have a tendency to jam. Some stage daggers have a hole in the tip for stage blood to go through. We have other blood daggers where a little capsule goes into the hilt and as it's squeezed very tightly the blood oozes out. There's another type with a tiny groove at the end of the blade. We can put a bloody stick into that so that as you move the dagger you get a nice red line.'

When firearms are required for a production, the department tries to buy the guns, which are deactivated, if it can, a cheaper alterative to hiring. A certificate is required for each gun and the RSC holds a Firearms Licence and has to notify the local Constabulary if the guns are transferred to another theatre.

Work from the Armoury and Boot Department is not only seen on the RSC stage, but has featured in films like Gladiator, Braveheart and Elizabeth.