Richard 2^nd, Act 1, Scene 3; Mr Walter Lacy as Gaunt. Mr Ryder as Bolingbroke

Photograph of a recreation of Act I, Scene 3 from William Shakespeare's play Richard II. Second from the left stands Walter Lacy as John of Gaunt with his hand to his forehead. John Ryder stands alongside Lacy as Henry Bolingbroke, and wears armour with a tunic decorated with the Royal Standard. Three other members of the cast accompany the two actors.

This photograph documents Charles Kean's production of Richard II, with Kean in the title role. The production was shown at Princess's Theatre, London, where Kean presented many adaptations of Shakespeare's plays. The plays were distinguished for their elaborate scenery and attention to detail that included historically authentic costumes and music. Queen Victoria saw Kean's production of Richard II five times (Royal Archives reference VIC/MAIN/Z/115). A hand coloured set of photographs of this production by the photographer Laroche were presented to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert for Christmas 1857.