Richard II, 1987, Royal Shakespeare Company: Richard II, Jeremy Irons.

Richard II; Director, Barry Kyle; Designer, William Dudley; Photographer, Janet Arnold (ahds.ac.uk/performingarts); Royal Shakespeare Company, May 1987.

"The set, designed by William Dudley, features a large courtyard, with lawns and arbours, surrounded by walls and towers of delicate, filigree Gothic work which, together with the 14th century costumes are reminiscent of the paintings of the period. A round central structure rises and falls to become a dais, an arbour and finally, Richard's prison. The striking opening image of Richard lying on the lawn, long blue cloak outspread behind him, sets a visual standard which is sustained throughout." Della Couling, Tablet 16.5.87 Opening Date: 5 May 1987, Theatre: Barbican.

This production was one of the most perfectly realized in terms of recreating the original historical settings of the script's story.The medieval world was shown as preserved in paintings and illuminations from the fourteenth century. HMR