Richard 2^nd, Act 5, Scene 3; Mr Ryder as Bolingbroke

Photograph of actors recreating Act 5, Scene 3 of William Shakespeare's play Richard II. The scene depicts the character Henry Bolingbroke played by John Ryder who stands with a clergyman who holds a crosier and looks directly at the viewer. Two other players stand at the sides, one who holds a crown and another who wears royal livery.

This photograph documents Charles Kean's production of Richard II, with Kean in the title role. The caption suggests that this photograph recreates Act 5 scene 3 of the play which in fact, was omitted from Kean's production of Richard II. Instead, this scene may be the deposition scene from Act 4 scene 1. Kean's production of Richard II was shown at Princess's Theatre, London, where he 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.