The Old Vic Theatre first opened its doors in 1818 and this week celebrates its bicentenary. To mark the theater’s 200th anniversary Royal Mail is going to release a set of eight stamps depicting iconic performances and the most talented actors in the Old Vic’s history. The stamps featuring some of the UK’s best known actors performing at the London theatre will be available on general sale from August 30.
The Old Vic, originally named the Royal Coburg Theatre, was designed in 1818 by Rudolph Cabanel. It was later renamed the Royal Victoria Theatre and the Royal Victoria Hall. However at that time it was already nicknamed the “Old Vic” and officially adopted in 1925. The Old Vic stage has played host to the country’s most renowned actors and those from farther afield in its long history.
Old Vic artistic director Matthew Warchus said: “As we celebrate a long history of inspiring creativity in this iconic building, and look to a bright future of uplifting, adventurous and accessible theatremaking, we are delighted to be collaborating with Royal Mail on this special stamp edition to mark the Old Vic’s 200th birthday.”
The first stamp in this issue features Richard Burton as Henry V (1955); the second one is devoted to John Stride and Judi Dench who starred in Romeo and Juliet (1960); the third item shows Laurence Olivier in The Dance of Death (1967); the fourth stamp depicts Hedda Gabler with Maggie Smith (1970); the fifth item is dedicated to Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud who played in No Man’s Land (1975); the sixth stamp shows Albert Finney’s Hamlet (1975); the seventh item features Sharon Benson in Carmen Jones (1991) and the eighth stamp honors Glenda Jackson who stared in King Lear (2016).
