In association with

Online Exhibition exploring the history of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), to mark our 50th birthday in 2011. The objects have been selected from the collections of the RSC and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Each object tells the story of a particular moment in the RSC's history since it was established by Peter Hall on 20 March 1961. They reveal the inner workings of the company, the people who have been a part of it both on and off stage, and the many innovative moments that have defined its progress.

This online exhibition showcases the objects that were displayed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and SBT properties – Hall's Croft, Nash's House and New Place from April to December 2011.

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Costume worn by Paul Scofield as King Lear, 1962

Costume design by Alix Stone, Measure for Measure, 1962

Programme, Afore Night Come, 1962

Dress worn by Peggy Ashcroft, The Wars of the Roses, 1963

Sheet music for Marat/Sade, 1964

Costume design by Nadine Baylis, The Jew of Malta, 1965

The Actor by Cecil Beaton, 1965

Prompt Book, US, 1966

Cloak worn by Terrence Hardiman, The Revenger's Tragedy, 1966

Poster for A Midsummer Night's Dream, 1970

Costume design by Ann Curtis, Antony and Cleopatra, 1972

Mask worn by Alan Howard, Henry IV, 1975

Cloak worn by Ian McKellen, Macbeth, 1976

Prompt Book, Bingo, 1976

Shield from Richard II, 1974

Poster, Hamlet, 1975

Costume worn by Michael Williams, The Comedy of Errors, 1976

Costume design by Ralph Koltai, The Tempest, 1978

Poster for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, 1980

Dress worn by Bille Whitelaw, The Greeks, 1980

Bracelet worn by Noelyn George, All's Well That Ends Well, 1983

Poster for The Forest, 1981

Leather harness worn by Miles Anderson, The witch of Edmonton, 1983

Costume worn by Antony Sher, Richard III, 1984

Gold Record Award, Les Miserables, 1985

Jacket worn by Imogen Stubbs, The Rover, 1986

Dress worn by Niamh Cusack, Romeo and Juliet, 1986

Poster, The Plantagenets, 1988

Cartoon for a set backdrop, Singer, 1989

Prompt book, Troilus and Cressida, 1990

Costume worn by Robert Stephens, Henry IV, 1991

Prompt Book, A Woman Killed With Kindness, 1991

Poster, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 1991

Cloak worn by Stephen Casey, A Jovial Crew, 1992

Costume worn by Kenneth Branagh, Hamlet, 1992

Archbishop's Mitre worn by Michael Feast, Murder in the Cathedral, 1993

Poster, Pentecost, 1994

Jester's hat worn by David Tennant, As You Like It, 1996

Poster, A Midsummer Night's Dream, 1999

Necklace worn by Estelle Kohler – The Winter's Tale, 1999

Hat worn by Amanda Drew, Eastward Ho!, 2002

Costume worn by David Horovith, Cymbeline, 2003

Dress worn by Rebecca Johnson, The Dog in the Manger, 2004

Crown worn by Chuk Iwuji, The Histories, 2006

Armour worn by Patrick Stewart, Antony and Cleopatra, 2006

Ring worn by Ian McKellen, King Lear, 2007

T-shirt and jeans worn by David Tennant, Hamlet, 2008

Costume worn by Richard Wilson, Twelfth Night, 2010

Costume designs for Mrs Wormwood, Matilda, 2010

A History of the RSC in 50 Objects: Online Exhibition