John Barton and Peter Hall 1960 Production

This production was directed by Peter Hall and John Barton and was first performed at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, in the summer of 1960.

A man in toga stands speaking or singing to a several couples sitting on a sandy surface, one couple sitting on a recliner with parasol
Pandarus (Max Adrian) visits Helen and Paris, Troilus and Cressida, 1960, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.
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SANDPIT SET

The production was set in a hexagonal sandpit with a hanging backcloth covered with abstract shapes. The set and costumes were designed by Leslie Hurry, who used long cloaks in purple and gold for the Trojans. The sand gave a dynamic feel to the stage, as it was always moving and catching the light, but also provided a strong contrast to these bright costumes.

PRODUCTION PHOTOS

Hector (Derek Godfrey) fights with Ajax (Paul Hardwick, on ground) in Act 4 Scene 6.

 

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Thersites (Peter O'Toole) watches the duel between Paris (David Sumner) and Menelaus (Walter Brown) in Act 5 Scene 8.

 

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Pandarus (Max Adrian, left) calls on Paris (David Sumner, right) and Helen (Elizabeth Sellars) in Act 3 Scene 1. The servant played by Roy Dotrice holds the parasol.

 

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Cressida (Dorothy Tutin) lies against Pandarus (Max Adrian).

 

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Patroclus (Dinsdale Landen) and Achilles (Patrick Allen) are watched by Ulysses (Eric Porter).

 

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Elizabeth Sellars as Helen.

 

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Peter O'Toole as Thersites. The actor also appeared in The Taming of the Shrew and The Merchant of Venice in the same season.

 

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Achilles (Patrick Allen, in the background) prepares to have his men kill Hector (Derek Godfrey) in Act 5 Scene 9.

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Paul Hardwick as the Prologue.

 

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Denholm Elliott as Troilus.

His other RSC credits included The Merchant of Venice, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Return of A J Raffles.

 

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Pandarus (Max Adrian) interrupts Troilus (Denholm Elliott) and Cressida (Dorothy Tutin) as they say their goodbyes in Act 4 Scene 2.

 

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Achilles (Patrick Allen) duels with Hector (Derek Godfrey) in Act 5, Scene 6.

 

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Cressida (Dorothy Tutin) flirts with Diomedes (David Buck) in Act 5 Scene 2.

 

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Andromache (Diana Rigg) and Cassandra (Frances Cuka) plead with Priam (Clifford Rose).

Troilus (Denholm Elliott), a soldier (Clive Swift) and Hector (Derek Godfrey) look on.

Photo by Angus McBean © RSC Browse and license our images

Peter O'Toole as Thersites.

 

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Launch Gallery
A man dressed as a Trojan soldier, carrying a sword and helmet.

CAST AND CREATIVES

COMPANY

Shakespeare Memorial Theatre

Max Adrian - Pandarus

Patrick Allen - Achilles

Barbara Barnett - Unnamed parts

Julian Battersby - Unnamed parts

Roger Bizley - Margarelon

James Bree - Nestor

Walter Brown - Menelaus

David Buck - Diomedes

Christopher Cruise - Helenus

Frances Cuka - Cassandra

Gloria Dolskie - Unnamed parts

Roy Dotrice - Antenor, Servant

Donald Douglas - Aeneas

Denholm Elliott - Troilus

Maroussia Frank - Unnamed parts

Derek Godfrey - Hector

Paul Hardwick - Ajax, Prologue

Peter Jeffrey - Agamemnon

James Kerry - Unnamed parts

Dinsdale Landen - Patroclus

James Langley - Page

Susan Maryott - Unnamed parts

Mandy Miller – Unnamed parts

Peter O'Toole - Thersites

Eric Porter - Ulysses

Diana Rigg - Andromache

Clifford Rose - Priam

Elizabeth Sellars - Helen

David Sumner - Paris

Clive Swift - Alexander

Dave Thomas - Unnamed parts

Stephen Thorne - Calchas

Dorothy Tutin - Cressida

Philip Voss - Unnamed parts

William Wallis - Unnamed parts

Don Webster - Deiphobus

 

CREATIVES

 

Director - John Barton, Peter Hall

Designer - Leslie Hurry

Lighting designer - John Wyckham

Music - Humphrey Searle

 

The RSC's archive is held at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. You can visit the Library and Archives there to look at production related information, including photos, videos of shows and stage management documents:

Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive homepage

You can search the RSC catalogue here: 

RSC performance database

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