A chronological list of available Royal Shakespeare Company productions and where to watch them.



Theatre is ephemeral.  Records often exist. There will be programmes. Costumes kept in archives along with photographs, annotated scripts, director's notes.  But outside of the publication of the text, it's mostly fleeting, an experience between actors and audiences which mostly lives on in the memories of participants, for better or worse.

Some productions survive.  Quite often they'll be recorded by the company or theatre either on audio or video, usually with a camera filming the whole stage from a fixed point, available for future academics and practitioners to view at the theatre or connected building.  The National Video Archive of Performance contains plenty of those.

Increasingly, though, national theatres including the National Theatre are filming their productions for a commercial audience, either through cinema projection or DVD release or both.  During the lockdown many of these recordings have been made available for free or a small donation and there are now streaming subscription services containing dozens of past shows.

Britbox have recently made twenty-five of the recent RSC Live presentations available alongside their television archive for £5.99 a month and I thought it would be useful or interesting to watch them in their original seasons and recreate the thematic connections, the experience of turning up in Stratford-Upon-Avon and looking at the poster outside.  Which necessitated making a list.

Then I wondered what other Shakespeare productions across the years are available in some form or other, outside of their archived audio or video, whole shows and also excerpts either in compilation releases or television documentaries.  How much of the RSC's bard history is available to the general public either filmed in theatre or reproduced in a studio setting?

Plenty and not much.  As you'll see, from this chronology I've created over the past week, people with academic credentials have access to a number of mid-twentieth century productions recorded for BBC television through Box of Broadcasts (and the BBC Shakespeare Archive Resource).  Outside of that there are a few other similar studio bound reproductions, usually starring Sir Ian McKellen.

There are also excerpts, snatches of productions or whole acts and the sources for these are included below (records or documentaries), although I've excluded the particular Act or Scene numbers to keep the list relatively simple to read, but that's usually a click away.  The link in each title will take you to a production profile which may contain photographs.

Where possible I've also linked to somewhere you can actually watch or see these plays, either right then or through subscriptions and purchases.  There is further archive material on the RSC website, the Birthplace Trust archive (which was invaluable in compiling this list), the RSC's YouTube channel begun in 2010 and the exhibition pages at Google Arts & Culture.


1959

Othello
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1960

The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Shakespeare at Stratford (Vinyl, Download)
The World of Shakespeare (Vinyl re-release)

The Merchant of Venice
Shakespeare at Stratford (Vinyl, Download)
The World of Shakespeare (Vinyl re-release)

Twelfth Night
Shakespeare at Stratford (Vinyl, Download)
The World of Shakespeare (Vinyl re-release)

The Taming of the Shrew
Shakespeare at Stratford (Vinyl, Download)
The World of Shakespeare (Vinyl re-release)

Troilus and Cressida
Shakespeare at Stratford (Vinyl, Download)
The World of Shakespeare (Vinyl re-release)

The Winter’s Tale
Shakespeare at Stratford (Vinyl, Download)
The World of Shakespeare (Vinyl re-release)


1961

Much Ado About Nothing
Shakespeare at Stratford (Vinyl, Download)
The World of Shakespeare (Vinyl re-release)

Hamlet
Shakespeare at Stratford (Vinyl, Download)
The World of Shakespeare (Vinyl re-release)

Richard III
Shakespeare at Stratford (Vinyl, Download)
The World of Shakespeare (Vinyl re-release)

As You Like It
Studio Recording (Box of Broadcasts)
Shakespeare at Stratford (Vinyl, Download)
The World of Shakespeare (Vinyl re-release)

Romeo and Juliet
Studio Recording (Box of Broadcasts)
Shakespeare at Stratford (Vinyl, Download)
The World of Shakespeare (Vinyl re-release)

Othello
Shakespeare at Stratford (Vinyl, Download)
The World of Shakespeare (Vinyl re-release)


1962

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Film Adaptation (DVD, Amazon Prime)


1963

The Comedy of Errors
Theatre Recording (Box of Broadcasts)

The Wars of the Roses
Studio/Theatre Recording (DVD, Box of Broadcasts)


1964

Henry IV, Part 1
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)

Henry VI
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)

The Wars of the Roses
Studio/Theatre Recording (DVDBox of Broadcasts)


1966

Hamlet
Opus (COI Collection Vol 5: Portrait of a People DVD)
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1967

All’s Well That Ends Well
Studio Recording (Box of Broadcasts, first half only)

Macbeth
The Impresarios: Peter Hall (Box of Broadcasts)


1969

The Winter’s Tale
music by Guy Woolfenden (EP single)
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1970

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)
Throwing Out the Cobwebs (Box of Broadcasts)
The Reunion: Peter Brook's A Midsummer Night's Dream (BBC Sounds)


1971

Twelfth Night
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1972

Julius Caesar
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)

Antony and Cleopatra
Studio recording (DVD)
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)

Love's Labour's Lost
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1974

Richard II
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1975

Henry V
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1976

Macbeth
Studio Recording (DVDBroadwayHD)

The Comedy of Errors
Studio Recording (DVD)
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1977

Henry V
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)

Macbeth
Studio Recording (DVDBroadwayHD)


1981

The Merchant of Venice
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1982

Much Ado About Nothing
Music by Nigel Hell (EP Single)

The Tempest
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1983

Measure for Measure
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1984

Richard III
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1985

As You Like It
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

The Merry Wives of Windsor
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1986

Macbeth
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1987

Titus Andronicus
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


1989

Othello
Studio Recording (DVD, BroadwayHD, Box of Broadcasts)


1990

Much Ado About Nothing
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)

Troilus and Cressida
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)

1991

Henry IV, Part 1
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)

The Two Gentlemen of Verona
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)
Love is The Sweetest Thing: All the classic Thirties Love songs from the RSC production of ... (CD)


1993

King Lear
Omnibus: Every Inch a King (Box of Broadcasts)
RSC Great Performances Volume 1 (VHS)


1994

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Film Adaptation of re-cast Barbican transfer (DVD)
RSC Great Performances Volume 1 (VHS)

Coriolanus
RSC Great Performances Volume 1 (VHS)

Twelfth Night
RSC Great Performances Volume 1 (VHS)

Henry VIII (All is True)
The Essential Shakespeare Live Encore (CD)


1999

Macbeth
Studio Recording at the Roundhouse (DVD)

The Winter’s Tale
Theatre Recording at the Barbican (DVD)

Timon of Athens
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


2001

King John
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


2002

Much Ado About Nothing
Behind The Scenes at RSC: The Stage (Box of Broadcasts)

The Tempest
Behind The Scenes at RSC: The Stage (Box of Broadcasts)

Pericles
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


2003

Measure for Measure
Behind The Scenes at RSC: The Stage (Box of Broadcasts)

The Taming of the Shrew
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)

Cymbeline
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


2006

Antony and Cleopatra
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


2007

King Lear
Studio Recording (BD/DVD, BroadwayHD)
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)

Henry V
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)


2008

Hamlet
Studio Recording (BD/DVD, Box of Broadcasts)
The Essential Shakespeare Live (CD, Spotify)
The Learning Zone: Shakespeare - The Play’s the Thing (Box of Broadcasts)
The Learning Zone: Shakespeare - From Page to Stage (Box of Broadcasts)


2009

As You Like It
Theatre Recording (Digital Theatre)

The Comedy of Errors
Theatre Recording at Clapham Community Project (Digital Theatre)

The Tempest
The King and the Playwright: A Jacobean History #3 (Box of Broadcasts)

The Winter’s Tale
The King and the Playwright: A Jacobean History #3 (Box of Broadcasts)


2010

The Comedy of Errors
Theatre Recording at Clapham Community Project (Digital Theatre)

King Lear
The King and the Playwright: A Jacobean History #1 (Box of Broadcasts)


2011

King Lear
The King and the Playwright: A Jacobean History #1 (Box of Broadcasts)

Macbeth
Shakespeare Unlocked: Macbeth (BBC WebsiteBox of Broadcasts)
The King and the Playwright: A Jacobean History #2 (Box of Broadcasts)

Measure for Measure
The King and the Playwright: A Jacobean History #1 (Box of Broadcasts)


2012

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Shakespeare Unlocked: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Box of Broadcasts)

Julius Caesar
Studio & Theatre recording (DVD, Amazon Prime, Box of Broadcasts)
Shakespeare Unlocked: Julius Caesar (Box of Broadcasts)


2013

As You Like It
Songs for As You Like It (Spotify)

Richard II
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, Britbox, Marquee TV, Digital Theatre, Box of Broadcasts)
Music & Speeches (CD, Spotify)


2014

Henry IV, Part 1
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, Britbox, Marquee TV, Digital Theatre)
Music & Speeches (CD, Spotify)

Henry IV, Part 2
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, Britbox, Marquee TV, Digital Theatre)
Music & Speeches (CD, Spotify)

Love’s Labour’s Lost
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, BritboxMarquee TV, Digital Theatre)
Music & Speeches (CD, Spotify)

Much Ado About Nothing or Love’s Labour’s Won
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, BritboxMarquee TV, Digital Theatre, Box of Broadcasts)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

The Rape of Lucrece
Audio Theatre Recording (Spotify)

The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, BritboxMarquee TV, Digital Theatre)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)


2015

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

Henry V
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, Britbox, Marquee TV, Digital Theatre)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

Othello
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, Britbox, Marquee TV, Digital Theatre, Box of Broadcasts)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

The Merchant of Venice
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, BritboxMarquee TV, Digital Theatre, Box of Broadcasts)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)


2016

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)
The Best Bottoms in the Land (Box of Broadcasts)

Cymbeline
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, BritboxMarquee TV, Digital Theatre, Box of Broadcasts)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

Hamlet
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, BritboxMarquee TV, Digital Theatre, Box of Broadcasts)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

King Lear
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, BritboxMarquee TV, Digital Theatre)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

Love’s Labour’s Lost
Theatre Recording (BD/DVDBritboxMarquee TVDigital Theatre)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

Much Ado About Nothing or Love’s Labour’s Won
Theatre Recording (BD/DVDBritboxMarquee TVDigital Theatre, Box of Broadcasts)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

The Tempest
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, BritboxMarquee TV, Digital Theatre)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)


2017

Antony and Cleopatra
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, BritboxMarquee TV, Digital Theatre)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

Coriolanus
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, Britbox, Marquee TV, Digital Theatre, Box of Broadcasts)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

Julius Caesar
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, BritboxMarquee TV, Digital Theatre)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

Titus Andronicus
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, BritboxMarquee TV, Digital Theatre)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

Twelfth Night
Theatre Recording (BD/DVD, Britbox, Marquee TV, Digital Theatre)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)


2018

Macbeth
Theatre Recording (DVD, Britbox, Marquee TV, Digital Theatre, Box of Broadcasts)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

Romeo and Juliet
Theatre Recording (DVD, Britbox, Marquee TV, Box of Broadcasts)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

The Merry Wives of Windsor
Theatre Recording (DVD, Britbox, Digital Theatre)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

Troilus and Cressida
Theatre Recording (DVD, Britbox)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

Timon of Athens
Theatre Recording (Britbox)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)


2019

As You Like It
Theatre Recording (DVDBritbox)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

Measure for Measure
Theatre Recording (DVDBritbox)
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)

The Taming of the Shrew
Theatre Recording (DVD, Britbox)
Music & Speeches (CD, Spotify)

King John
Music & Speeches (CDSpotify)


Notes:

Productions are grouped under their original production rather than the release date of the derivation and grouped based on the press night.

Many of the Music and Speeches CDs are only available from the RSC shop (which is currently closed).

Although the RSC has had a global reach, most of the productions above were at Stratford Upon Avon, although they were then recorded when they transferred, which I've mentioned where possible as well as if they're a theatre or studio recording.

2 comments:

Rosemary Cottage said...

Ah a shame Tennant’s RSC debut (as Touchstone in As You Like It, 95 or 96) isn’t there. Comprehensive list though thank you.

Rosemary Cottage said...

Ah a shame Tennant’s RSC debut (as Touchstone in As You Like It, 95 or 96) isn’t there. Comprehensive list though thank you.