A History of the RSC in 50 Objects (Online)

Dress worn by Rebecca Johnson

The Dog in the Manger, 2004

Playwright: Lope de Vega (1562 – 1635)

Director: Laurence Boswell

Costume Designer: Es Devlin

This play takes its inspiration from an ancient Greek fable. A dog sits in a manger and prevents other animals from eating the grain even though he does not want to eat it himself. The play was translated for the RSC by David Johnston.

The Dog in the Manger was part of the RSC's Spanish Golden Age season at the Swan Theatre. This period of flourishing art and literature in Spain ran from the late 15th century until the late 17th century. Another celebrated 'golden age' writer is Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote.