Richard Pasco as Richard II
In John Barton's 1973 production of Richard II, Richard Pasco and Ian Richardson alternated the title role and that of Bolingbroke. This serial doubling presented Richard and Bolingbroke as reflections of one another. This photo shows Richard Pasco as Richard (left) and Ian Richardson as Bolingbroke (right) in rehearsal holding a broken mirror. John Barton's production amplified the notion of the two central characters as direct opposites – expanding on evidence in the text. The difference in language employed by each character suggests Henry is a plain-spoken man of action, contrasted with Richard's poetic ineffectualness.
Mirror image
'On this side, my hand; and on that side, thine' Richard, Act 4, Scene 1
Here is a production image of the same moment as the rehearsal images, showing Richard Pasco as Richard II and Ian Richardson as Bolingbroke. They both clutch a broken mirror - reduced to a crown-shaped frame, which later represents a noose - equidistant from their faces, highlighting the notion that they are both mirror-images of each other. It is often said that that Richard and Bolingbroke in the play are like buckets in a well: as the power of one rises, the other falls.
Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection
© Shakespeare Birthplace Trust –
Image Licensing
Ian Richardson as Richard II
Symmetry is a central theme of John Barton's production. The programme for the 1973 production contained an essay by Anne Barton entitled 'The King's Two Bodies' which explains the concept that the king has two bodies, central to John Barton's staging of the play. 'One of these bodies is flawless, abstract and immortal. The other is fallible, individual and subject to death and time.' This rehearsal photo shows Ian Richardson as Richard (left) and Richard Pasco as Bolingbroke (right) clutching the broken mirror.
Nominated to play the king
The play opens with a meta-theatrical device – an actor portraying Shakespeare appears on stage to nominate either Pasco or Richardson to play the King. The designated Richard, now dressed in a mask, robe and crown, removes his mask and the play begins. Here is Ian Richardson as Richard in Act 3, Scene 1, dressed in the golden, sun-like cape.
Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection
© Shakespeare Birthplace Trust –
Image Licensing
Glistering Phaethon
'Down, down I come; like glistering Phaethon.' Richard II, Act 3 Scene 1
In this production photo, Richard Pasco as Richard II appears on the bridge high above the stage wearing a large circular golden cloak which transforms Richard into a sun, which sets as the bridge drops to the floor.
Prompt Book for Richard II
This image shows the blocking notation for the same scene (Act 1 Scene 3) in the prompt book used when the play transferred to the Aldwych in 1974-5. For this scene, the banishment scene, the notes read: 'Bolingbroke and Mowbray point spears at each other. King carried upstage right on litter.'
Close-up of Prompt Book
Here is a close-up of the stage direction in Act 1 Scene 3, taken from the Aldwych prompt book. A prompt book is used by the Deputy Stage Manager (DSM) and notes blocking (where actors are positioned on stage) as well as lighting and sound effects cues. They DSM usually sits in the prompt corner, normally situated in the stage left wing. If the prompt corner is in the stage right wing, it is known as a 'bastard prompt.'
Costume list for Act 1 Scene 3
A costume list for Act 1, Scene 3. 'Richard (Pasco/Richardson) basic and hobby horse, gorget (piece of armour) and helmet with plumes, breastplate, gauntlets, cloak (shield and lance), buskins industrial, undervest and travelling cloak.'
Ian Richardson's ring
This is the ring worn by Ian Richardson during the production of Richard II. In 2013, Richardson's widow gave the ring to David Tennant, who played the title role in Gregory Doran's production. David Tennant wore it during the production, stating he 'wanted to have a bit of Ian Richardson on stage with me, giving me a hand' and regarded it as a talisman throughout the show.
Painting of Richard Pasco as Richard II
A painting of Richard Pasco in the title role of Richard II, by Lynne Johnson. This painting forms part of our Theatre Collection which includes artwork dating from several centuries.
The king is carried on a litter
This image depicts Richard Pasco as Richard II being carried 'upstage on a litter', as per the deputy stage manager's notes in the prompt book. A litter is a covered couch with shafts, used for carrying a single passenger
Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection
© Shakespeare Birthplace Trust –
Image Licensing
Poster for the 1973 production
Here is a poster for the 1973 production of Richard II, directed by John Barton, in which Ian Richardson and Richard Pasco played Richard II and Bolingbroke. Look closely and you will see the skull in the design, denoting the mortality of the king.