| Description | By John Osborne, Director Tony Richardson, Premiere 27 Jul 1961, The Royal Court Theatre. The file contains costume and set designs. The costumes are in an autumnal colour palette and many are painted so as to make the 'fabrics' appear textured by adding washes/sponging etc for example, 1132. There are also a series of pencil/pen portraits of the characters, in the case of this play these characters are historical/factual figures and so Herbert was required to represent them as such for example, Emperor Charles V [1117] some of these have additional styling notes for example, 1122 notes the hair colour of Hans [Luther's father]. Some of the designs are shown at more than one angle for example, 1119 shows the back and the side of the outfit. The designs also show court and church costumes for example, Cardinal's robes in 1141 or the heralds court robes in 1135. The designs are annotated by character name and some have further notes for example, 1143 has the actors measurements for fitting and others have small side drawings showing detailing for example, 1144. The set designs represent real places where events affecting Martin Luther took place and as such they are an interpretation of historical fact. The colour palette is mainly drab greys and browns with flashes of bright colours, smoky blue or white for detailing and dramatic effect for example, 1114 and 1126. The designs are annotated with the corresponding scene and act number and some have additional notes for example, 1115 notes that the cloisters are in Wittenberg. Herbert uses a new technique in the designs, storyboarding the sets needed for an Act for example, 1124 storyboards Act II. The actors are placed in position on many of the set designs and so the staging of the production is discernable for example, 1127 and in some lighting is also added for example, 1130. A number of the set design concentrate on specific objects for example, 1173 is an emotive drawing of an altarpiece crucifix.
Pencil, pen and paint on paper.
[Production was also performed in Paris] |