Tabard worn by Ian McKellen as Richard II
Theatre Costume
1968 (made)
1968 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Court tabard worn by Ian McKellen as Richard II, Prospect Theatre Company, 1968,
This costume was made for Prospect Theatre Company’s 1968 production of Richard II, starring 29-year-old Ian McKellen as the King. Its five week tour was such a success that a second tour, starting at the Edinburgh Festival, was followed by a sell-out London run. It went on to tour Europe and was filmed by the BBC in 1970, establishing McKellen as a leading actor. Prospect was a small company with limited funds. The set for Richard II was basic, and designer Tim Goodchild spent most of his minuscule budget on costume. The golden tabard for King Richard is typically late 1960s in design and making. Based on medieval heraldry, it looks suitably historical but is actually made up of a collage of modern materials. The basic fabric is furnishing brocade highlighted with gold paint. The heraldic lions sit amid a riot of gold mesh, glass ‘jewels’, gold raffia, felt and fake leather. Coins and even metal beer-bottle tops enhance the richness. The gold lamé lining had to be partially covered with clear polythene to protect it as it dragged across the stage. Reviews pronounced the production an ‘uncontested triumph’.
This costume was made for Prospect Theatre Company’s 1968 production of Richard II, starring 29-year-old Ian McKellen as the King. Its five week tour was such a success that a second tour, starting at the Edinburgh Festival, was followed by a sell-out London run. It went on to tour Europe and was filmed by the BBC in 1970, establishing McKellen as a leading actor. Prospect was a small company with limited funds. The set for Richard II was basic, and designer Tim Goodchild spent most of his minuscule budget on costume. The golden tabard for King Richard is typically late 1960s in design and making. Based on medieval heraldry, it looks suitably historical but is actually made up of a collage of modern materials. The basic fabric is furnishing brocade highlighted with gold paint. The heraldic lions sit amid a riot of gold mesh, glass ‘jewels’, gold raffia, felt and fake leather. Coins and even metal beer-bottle tops enhance the richness. The gold lamé lining had to be partially covered with clear polythene to protect it as it dragged across the stage. Reviews pronounced the production an ‘uncontested triumph’.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Tabard worn by Ian McKellen as Richard II (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Brocade, net, felt, raffia, imitation leather, lamé, glass jewels, metal, gold paint and polythene |
| Brief description | Court tabard worn by Ian McKellen as Richard II, Prospect Theatre Company, 1968, designed by Tim Goodchild |
| Physical description | Brocade tabard, the floor-length front panel decorated with three heraldic lions, the back panel forming a train decorated all over with a diamond pattern. Appliquéd with gold mesh, glass 'jewels', gold raffia, felt and imitation leather, coins and bottle tops, highlighted with gold paint. Lined with gold lamé, the lining of the train protected by a sheet of polythene. |
| Gallery label | Gallery rotation, 2022
TABARD WORN BY IAN MCKELLEN AS RICHARD II
1968
Widely credited as establishing Ian McKellen as a leading Shakespearean actor, Prospect Theatre Company’s 1968 production of Richard II toured the UK twice, playing sell-out seasons in London and at the Edinburgh Festival in a double bill with Edward II. The Sunday Times described the production as ‘glorious with flamboyant colours of gold and red’, as seen in this costume.
Designed by Tim Goodchild
Made by Susanna Wilson
Brocade, net, felt, raffia, imitation leather, lamé, glass jewels, metal, gold paint and polythene
Museum no. S.853-1981(07/03/2022) |
| Summary | Court tabard worn by Ian McKellen as Richard II, Prospect Theatre Company, 1968, This costume was made for Prospect Theatre Company’s 1968 production of Richard II, starring 29-year-old Ian McKellen as the King. Its five week tour was such a success that a second tour, starting at the Edinburgh Festival, was followed by a sell-out London run. It went on to tour Europe and was filmed by the BBC in 1970, establishing McKellen as a leading actor. Prospect was a small company with limited funds. The set for Richard II was basic, and designer Tim Goodchild spent most of his minuscule budget on costume. The golden tabard for King Richard is typically late 1960s in design and making. Based on medieval heraldry, it looks suitably historical but is actually made up of a collage of modern materials. The basic fabric is furnishing brocade highlighted with gold paint. The heraldic lions sit amid a riot of gold mesh, glass ‘jewels’, gold raffia, felt and fake leather. Coins and even metal beer-bottle tops enhance the richness. The gold lamé lining had to be partially covered with clear polythene to protect it as it dragged across the stage. Reviews pronounced the production an ‘uncontested triumph’. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.853-1981 |
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| Record created | March 28, 2013 |
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