What is the history of all-day performances by the RSC? PDF Print E-mail

Theatre critic Michael Billington has described these as 'orgiastic theatrical marathons' which have become a trademark of the RSC since the formation of the company in the early sixties. Linked productions are designed so the whole cycle can be seen on the same day, or even longer: 

  • The Wars of the Roses, 1963-4. This was the first of this type of event. The three parts of Henry VI were conflated into 2 plays, plus Richard III. At Stratford in 1963 there were 5 trilogy days. In 1964 the History Cycle consisted of The Wars of the Roses plus Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2 and Henry V.
  • The Henries, 1975-78. In 1975 Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, Henry V and The Merry Wives of Windsor were produced as a group. In Stratford, and during the revival of the productions at the Aldwych there was one trilogy day for The Henries in each venue. In 1977-8 All three parts of Henry VI were produced. There were several trilogy days both in Stratford and London.
  • The Greeks, 1980. Performed as a trilogy, this consisted of ten individual Greek plays (one of which was adapted from a poem) covering the history of the Trojan War. They were performed at the Aldwych Theatre London.
  • The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, 1980-81, 1985-6; an adaptation of the Dickens novel in two 4-hr parts. This originally played at the Aldwych, then was taken to Broadway and filmed for Channel 4 TV. The production was revived in 1985-6, playing first at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre then being taken on tour.
  • The Plantagenets, 1988-9. A conflation, very similar to The Wars of the Roses, of the three Henry VI plays and Richard III. Performed at the RST and the Barbican.
  • The Thebans, 1991-2. The Greek plays Oedipus Tyrannos, Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone, performed at the Swan and the Barbican.
  • Faust, 1995-6. Goethe's play, in two parts. Performed at the Swan and Pit.
  • The Mysteries, 1997-8. A modern version of a Mystery Cycle performed in two parts: The Creation and The Passion, performed at TOP and at the Pit (as one long piece). Beckett Shorts, 1997.
  • Six short plays by Samuel Beckett performed in two parts at The Other Place, The Pit and on tour.
  • This England, 2000-2001 Complete history cycle from Richard II to Richard III. Performed in three venues in Stratford and London where it was possible to see all the plays in historical sequence over about a week. The Henry VI and Richard III plays were also taken to Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
  • Tantalus, 2000-2001. A co-production with the Denver Centre for the Performing Arts. This three-part, nine-play cycle tells the story of the Trojan wars, written by John Barton. After a season in Denver the production toured to five venues in the UK, culminating in 2 weeks at the Barbican.
  • Jacobethans, 2002-3. Five plays: Edward III, Eastward Ho!, The Roman Actor, The Island Princess and The Malcontent. Played with an ensemble company in the Swan Theatre and transferred to the Gielgud Theatre in London. It was possible to see all five plays over a Friday and Saturday.

For more information about all these see the RSC Performance Database which can be reached from the Library and Archives section.

 
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