A History of the RSC in 50 Objects (Online)

COSTUME DESIGN FOR CERES

The Tempest, 1978

Director:  Clifford Williams

Designer:  Ralph Koltai

This costume design is almost abstract in appearance. The designer has given an impression of colour and shape rather than a detailed drawing. The final costume was very loose and was designed to cover the entire body. When the actress, Carmen du Sautoy, raised her arms the costume looked very much like this design.

Ralph Koltai worked as a designer on over 30 RSC productions between 1962 and 1988. He worked on the set and costume designs for this production.

On the opening night there were electrical problems that affected the light and sound. The actress playing Miranda (Sheridan Fitzgerald) walked into a piece of the set in the dark and made her first appearance with a bleeding head.