Exploring Shakespeare

Richard III - Act 1 Scene 1

Richard (Jonathan Slinger) sets the scene - all is well in England, except himself. (Charlie Hamblett plays Edward.)

Richard III - Act 1 Scene 2

Richard (Jonathan Slinger) woos Lady Anne (Hannah Barrie) as she mourns King Henry VI (Chuk Iwuji).

In rehearsal - Act 4 Scene 2

Behind-the-scenes in the RSC rehearsal room - actors and musicians run through the coronation scene.

Performance photo gallery

Explore Michael Boyd's 2007 RSC production of Richard III from Richard's opening soliloquy, to the coronation and final battle.

Rehearsal photo gallery

Join the Richard III company behind the scenes in rehearsal.

Teachers' notes [PDF 716K]

Activities for teaching Richard III, based on RSC rehearsal room practice. (You need PDF reader software.)

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Edward's party

Before starting his first speech, Jonathan Slinger as Richard stands holding a cloth bundle 'baby'. This is an echo from the ending of Henry VI Part 3 which ended with Richard in the same pose.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-12-18
Copyright: © RSC 2006

The cast move past Richard in a slow-motion party for Edward who is now 12 years old. The joyful party contrasts with the fierce battles which we have usually seen bursting from the tower. This moment was cut in previews.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-12-18
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Grim-visaged war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front

Jonathan Slinger (Richard) rehearses with Charlie Hamblett (Edward). Edward is presented as a perfect boy, while Richard is an imperfect man. Three children share each child role because children's working hours are restricted.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-12-18
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Edward x 5

These boys share the roles of Prince Edward and Edward Plantagenet. The children attend rehearsals one day a week and swap over every half an hour. The actors are encouraged to move scenes forward rather than copy.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-12-18
Copyright: © RSC 2006

O, I have pass'd a miserable night, So full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams

Jimmy Tucker (Clarence) rehearses Act 1 Scene 4. He's sitting on the bed which will be used in the finished production.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-12-18
Copyright: © RSC 2006

We will chop him in the malmsey-butt

Nick Asbury(left, Vaughan) and Keith Dunphy (Lovell) rehearse Act 1 Scene 4.This line has been changed because 'malmsey-butt' isn't used in modern English. It's changed to 'vat of malmsey wine'.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-12-18

Thy voice is thunder, but thy looks are humble.

Keith Dunphy (Lovell) approaches Jimmy Tucker (Clarence). The knife used in the production is much larger. Erin, the Deputy Stage Manager makes a note of any props needed in rehearsals and they are sent to London by the Props team in Stratford.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-12-18

If all this will not do, I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within.

Keith Dunphy, Nick Asbury and Jimmy Tucker rehearse Act 1 Scene 4. The actors have worked together in the ensemble for a year so trust each other when working on fights. Fight Director Terry King polished up this moment for the finished production.

Act and Scene
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-12-18