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Today Simon Annand's exhibition of photographs of actors preparing for the stage opens at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
The Half is a touring exhibition from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (V&A) curated with Simon Annand. This special version of the exhibition, created in collaboration with the RSC, includes new photographs on public display for the first time of Jane Lapotaire, Michael Pennington and David Tennant from the RSC's current production of Richard II.
The Half is an actor's countdown to walking on stage and facing an audience. Simon Annand's photographs capture this final 35 mins of excitement and intensity before the show begins. Visitors are invited to peep into the secret world of the dressing room to discover actors engaging in personal reflections and private rituals as they make the transition into character.
The exhibition also features a video of images by Simon Annand of the RSC's costume team and acting company working together backstage, commissioned by the RSC as part of In Stitches, a celebration of costume. The images capture the team's energy, collaboration and breadth of skills drawn on every day before and during a show.
The Half includes 94 prints of actors spanning over 30 years of British Theatre including new images of RSC actors preparing for the summer 2013 shows Titus Andronicus and Candide and the current production of Richard II. Other RSC actors featured include Judi Dench, Jeremy Irons, David Oyelowo, Jonathan Slinger, Pippa Nixon and Mariah Gale. The exhibition also includes Cate Blanchett, Daniel Craig, Martin Sheen and Jude Law.
The exhibition is curated by Kate Bailey of the V&A in collaboration with Simon Annand and the RSC's Events and Exhibitions Department.
The Half: Photographs of actors preparing for the stage. By Simon Annand
Ferguson Room, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
30 November 2013 – 16 February 2014
Free to the public and open from 10am daily
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