Richard 2^nd, Act 2, Scene 3; Mr Ryder as Bolingbroke. Mr Cooper as York

Photograph of a recreation of Act 2, Scene 3 from William Shakespeare's play Richard II as preformed at the Princess's Theatre, Oxford Street. John Ryder who stands on the left wearing a black tunic and hat plays the part of Henry Bolingbroke, who has returned from exile, and stands opposite John Cooper as the Duke of York and who wears a plumed hat. Four other actors are present; three dressed as soldiers and the fourth dressed as an Attendant.

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.