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Photo by Andrew Fox, courtesy RSC |
By Christian Barclay
The RSC's archival collection includes more than 2,500 costumes, props, and designs dating from the 1800s to today. It offers an overview of the way theatrical performances have changed over time and how different directors and designers have approached Shakespeare’s work.
Few costumes carry the power of a crown––the gilded accessory that separates a commoner from a king. Kate Freshwater, the company’s senior milliner, talks about the creation of the company’s royal headwear.
How many crowns does the RSC have in its archive and when was the first one made?
We have 60 crowns in our special archive collection––in addition to the ones stored in our costume store, where there are numerous other crowns from past productions. The oldest one we know the confirmed date of was made in 1949 for a production of Macbeth. It was made for Diana Wynyard, who played Lady Macbeth.