A History of the RSC in 50 Objects (Online)

ARCHBISHOP'S MITRE WORN BY MICHAEL FEAST

Murder in the Cathedral, 1993

Playwright:  T.S. Eliot (1888 – 1965)

Director:  Steven Pimlott

Costume Designer: Ashley Martin-Davies

Murder in the Cathedral (1935) is about the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, who was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. The play examines one man's struggle for spiritual integrity and the rights of the church against the state. It was written at a time when Fascism was on the rise in Europe.

The play was written to be performed in Canterbury Cathedral. For this production the director, Steven Pimlott, used the whole of the Swan Theatre to recreate a cathedral atmosphere. This wrapped the set around the audience, making them part of the action.