Not currently on display at the V&A

Morris Kestelman set design for Richard III

Design
1944 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This design by Morris Kestelman (1905-1998) was for a canopy in 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 design for Richard III (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour and pencil on paper
Brief description
Design by Morris Kestelman for a canopy for William Shakespeare's Richard III, Old Vic Theatre production, New Theatre, 1944
Physical description
Design by Morris Kestelman for a canopy for William Shakespeare's Richard III, Old Vic Theatre production, New Theatre, 1944. The design shows a square canopy with four long thin legs.
Dimensions
  • Height: 40cm
  • Width: 25.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
'Richard III / CANOPY FOR Scene 8 / 4' 6" / CANVAS TOP + SIDES / 2' 6" / 4.6 / [?] / 2-6 / 10" / 10" / 7' 6" / 4 poles 7' 6" high to slot into / corner holes in canopy. / the canvas needs no battening. / Fringe' (On front side in pencil)
Credit line
Given by Sara Kestelman
Summary
This design by Morris Kestelman (1905-1998) was for a canopy in 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.2084-2014

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Record createdFebruary 20, 2014
Record URL
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