Not currently on display at the V&A

Morris Kestelman set model piece for Richard III

Set Model
1944 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This design by Morris Kestelman (1905-1998) was for part of the original set model for the Old Vic Theatre Company's production of Richard III at the New Theatre, London, in September 1944. Directed by John Burrell with costumes designed by Doris Zinkeisen, this wartime production has a legendary ring to it today, starring great British actors - Laurence Olivier as Richard, Ralph Richardson as Richmond and Sybil Thorndike as Margaret. Critics of the day praised the production, and one described the 'sombre pictures' created by the settings as 'grimly effective'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleMorris Kestelman set model piece for Richard III (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour on cardboard
Brief description
Part of original model by Morris Kestelman for William Shakespeare's Richard III, Old Vic Theatre production, New Theatre, 1944
Physical description
Part of original model by Morris Kestelman for William Shakespeare's Richard III, Old Vic Theatre production, New Theatre, 1944. The piece features part of a grey building with a wooden door in the centre.
Dimensions
  • Height: 23cm
  • Width: 22cm
  • Depth: 4cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • '3' for [?]' (On front side in pencil)
  • '2 ft 6 [b?] (On reverse side in pencil)
Credit line
Given by Sara Kestelman
Object history
Part of the original set model for Richard III
Summary
This design by Morris Kestelman (1905-1998) was for part of the original set model for the Old Vic Theatre Company's production of Richard III at the New Theatre, London, in September 1944. Directed by John Burrell with costumes designed by Doris Zinkeisen, this wartime production has a legendary ring to it today, starring great British actors - Laurence Olivier as Richard, Ralph Richardson as Richmond and Sybil Thorndike as Margaret. Critics of the day praised the production, and one described the 'sombre pictures' created by the settings as 'grimly effective'.
Collection
Accession number
S.2076-2014

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Record createdFebruary 20, 2014
Record URL
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