Image Licensing

The RSC has thousands of production photos, rehearsal and theatre-related images that we can license for use in your project.

From famous actors in their first roles to iconic theatre productions; backstage images to Broadway transfers; young Romeos to aging kings; our collection of past and present production photos is one of the most extensive single theatre archives in the world.

We have many photographs of other playwright's work including: Harold Pinter, Christopher Marlowe, Tanika Gupta, Anton Chekhov, Ben Jonson, Marina Carr, John Webster and Mark Ravenhill. Our licensing department can grant permission for the reproduction of RSC copyright pictures in various media, including print publications, online, television, film, exhibition and display use and much more.

Whatever your project, contact us for our in-depth knowledge of Shakespeare's plays, actors, theatre and production history, as well as copyright clearances.

Find out more information about using RSC images for commercial and editorial projects, personal use and private study in our section on using RSC images. We have fee rates to suit every use. 

Judi Dench as Viola, David Tennant as Hamlet, Meera Syal as Beatrice, Ian McKellen as Romeo, Vivien Leigh as Lavinia and Paapa Essiedu as Hamlet in a composite image of past production photos
From left to right: Judi Dench as Viola, 1969; David Tennant as Hamlet, 2008; Meera Syal as Beatrice, 2012; Ian McKellen as Romeo, 1976; Vivien Leigh as Lavinia, 1955; Paapa Essiedu as Hamlet, 2016.
Photos by Reg Wilson, Ellie Kurttz, Angus McBean, Manuel Harlan © RSC Browse and license our images

Browse our online archive

You can search and download a selection of our Shakespeare production photos in the online RSC image library:

Browse our images

Here we have archive and contemporary production photos available to download low resolution or order high resolution. Currently this site has over 4,300 images from 28 Shakespeare plays, and we are always adding new images to this public database.

Request images

We also have thousands of pictures in our archive that are not visible on our online library. If you are looking for a specific image of an RSC production or person that you cannot find online email images@rsc.org.uk and we will assist you.

Clip licensing

We are also able to license clips from our Live from Stratford-upon-Avon cinema broadcasts for editorial and commercial projects without the need for additional clearances. 

Gold kimono style costume being made in the RSC's costume workshops
Backstage: making costumes in the RSC's costume workshop
Photo by Sam Allard © RSC Browse and license our images

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