In focus: Gregory Doran 1999

Michael Pennington was a late replacement for Alan Bates as Timon in Gregory Doran's energetic production.

Michael Pennington wears a blue and purple jacket and puts his hands in a glass bowl.
Michael Pennington as Timon, 1999, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

LAST MINUTE TIMON

Gregory Doran's production could have been in jeopardy when his Timon, Alan Bates, was forced to pull out due to illness. However, Michael Pennington was able to step in as the unlucky Timon, bringing his large amount of previous RSC experience to the role.

CONNECTING THREAD

This was the first time the play had been seen at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon since 1965, when Paul Scofield played the title role and Michael Pennington was Titus, one of Timon's creditors. Considered a tricky role because Timon's character changes so dramatically, Pennington was praised for finding a connecting thread between the two sides of his personality, making him a loner who uses his situation to keep his distance from other people. 

JAZZ SCORE

The production featured a score by world-famous jazz musician Duke Ellington for the 1963 Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada. The edgy jazz and blues score suited the droll tone of Doran's production.

PRODUCTION PHOTOS

The painter (Graham Ingle) and the poet (Sam Dastor) wait to see Timon in Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

The painter (Graham Ingle) shows his work to the the poet (Sam Dastor), Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Flavius (John Woodvine) tells Timon (Michael Pennington) that his finances are in poor shape, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

The faithful Flavius (John Woodvine) with his master Timon (Michael Pennington), Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Cupid (Sam Dastor) appears in the masque which entertains Timon's guests, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Timon (Michael Pennington) is besieged by creditors, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Timon (Michael Pennington) turns his back on humanity, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

The sardonic philosopher Richard McCabe (Apemantus), Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Timon (Michael Pennington) finds more gold as he digs, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Timon (Michael Pennington) offers Alcibiades (Rupert Penry-Jones) gold, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Timon (Michael Pennington) in his grave, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Timon (Michael Pennington) carries his epitaph, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Willoughby Gullachsen © RSC Browse and license our images
Launch Gallery

Rehearsal Photos

Director Gregory Doran in rehearsals with Peter Reeves (Senator), Ewart James Walters (Senator) and Michael Pennington (Timon), Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Movement director Sian Williams rehearses with the company, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. 

Photo Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Michael Pennington (Timon) in rehearsals, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Michael Pennington (Timon) in rehearsal, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Michael Pennington (Timon) and Richard McCabe (Apemantus) in rehearsals, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Rehearsing the scene with the bandits (Owen Oakeshott, Joseph England, Andrew Dennis) and Timon (Pennington), Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Director Gregory Doran in rehearsals with Michael Pennington (Timon), Kemi Baruwa (Phrynia) and Nadine Marshall (Timandra), Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Michael Pennington (Timon) and Rupert Penry-Jones (Alcibiades) in rehearsal, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Michael Pennington (Timon), Kemi Baruwa (Phrynia), Rupert Penry-Jones (Alcibiades) and Nadine Marshall (Timandra) in rehearsals, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. 

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Nadine Marshall (Timandra) and Kemi Baruwa (Phrynia) in rehearsal with Michael Pennington (Timon), Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images
Launch Gallery

JACOBEAN PUNK COSTUMES

Stephen Brimson Lewis designed both the costumes and the sets for the production. His boldly eclectic costumes mixed Jacobean elements with classical and modern and were described by critic John Peters as "flamboyant classical-renaissance punk" Sunday Times, 12 September 1999.  In the following gallery you can see design sketches, detailed costume sheets and production photos showing the journey from page to stage.

Costume gallery

Costume design sketch by Stephen Brimson Lewis for an Amazon (Graham Ingle) in Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

A sheet from the costume 'bible'  for Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The swatches and description refer to the costume for an Amazon (Graham Ingle) who appears with Cupid in the masque scene (Act 1 Scene 2) at the great banquet given by the generous Timon.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

The Amazons dance in the masque at Timon's banquet, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Costume design sketch by Stephen Brimson Lewis for Lucullus (Peter Kelly), a flattering lord in Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

A sheet from the costume 'bible' for Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The swatches and description refer to a costume for the flattering lord Lucullus (Peter Kelly).

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

The smug and richly-dressed Lucullus (Peter Kelly) in Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. 

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

A sheet from the costume 'bible' for Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The swatches and notes refer to the buttons, trimmings and accessories for Lucullus' costume (Peter Kelly).

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

A trio of flattering lords including the exuberantly dressed Lucullus (Peter Kelly) in the centre, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. 

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Costume design sketch by Stephen Brimson Lewis for Lucius (Geff Francis), another flattering lord in Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

A sheet from the costume 'bible' for Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The swatches and notes refer to a costume for another flattering lord Lucius (Geff Francis).

Designed by Stephe Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

A sheet from the costume 'bible' for Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The swatches and notes refer to the collar/ruff and accessories for Lucius's (Geff Francis) costume.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Another trio of flattering lords including the exuberantly dressed Lucius (Geff Francis, right), Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

Costume design sketch by Stephen Brimson Lewis for Timon (Michael Pennington) in the second banquet scene (Act 3 Scene 7),  Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

A sheet from the costume 'bible' for Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The swatches and notes refer to the costume worn by Timon (Michael Pennington) in the second banquet scene (Act 3 Scene 7).

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

A disillusioned Timon (Michael Pennington) prepares to shed his elegant clothes, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images
Launch Gallery

FOCUS ON A SCENE: THE SECOND BANQUET

May you a better feast never behold,
You knot of mouth-friends. Smoke and lukewarm water
Is your perfection.
Timon, Act 3 Scene 7 (6 in some editions)

A disillusioned Timon invites his fickle friends to a second feast and when the dishes are uncovered they reveal warm water and stones which he throws at them with curses. The guests think he has gone mad.

In the next gallery you can see the storyboard, set model and relevant prompt book pages which reveal how the scene was created.

The Second Banquet Scene

The storyboard for the second banquet scene in Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Storyboards are used by creative and stage management teams to help them visualise the layout of a scene.

Directed by Gregory Doran © RSC Browse and license our images

The model set box by Stephen Brimson Lewis for the second banquet scene, Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 40 of the Prompt Book for Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing stage management cues and play text for the second banquet scene.

Directed by Gregory Doran © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 41 of the Prompt Book for Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing stage management cues and play text for the second banquet scene.

Directed by Gregory Doran © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 42 of the Prompt Book for Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing stage management cues and play text for the second banquet scene.

Directed by Gregory Doran © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 43 of the Prompt Book for Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing stage management cues and play text for the second banquet scene.

Directed by Gregory Doran © RSC Browse and license our images

Page 44 of the Prompt Book for Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, showing stage management cues and play text for the second banquet scene.

Directed by Gfregory Doran © RSC Browse and license our images

The aftermath of the second banquet,Timon of Athens, 1999, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images
Launch Gallery
Theatrical programme cover for Timon of Athens 1999 featuring Michael Pennington head shot in profile looking right

CAST AND CREATIVES

COMPANY

Royal Shakespeare Theatre

James Auden - Amazon

Kemi Baruwa - Phrynia

Andrew Bone - Amazon, Flaminius

Ewen Cummins - Lucilius

Sam Dastor - Poet, Cupid

Andrew Dennis - Bandit, Merchant

Joseph England - Amazon, Bandit. Jeweller

Michael Fenner - Ventidius

Geff Francis - Lucius

David Hobbs - Sempronius

Graham Ingle - Amazon, Painter

Peter Kelly - Lucullus

Nadine Marshall - Timandra

Richard McCabe - Apemantus

Nicholas Monu - Servilius

Owen Oakeshott - Bandit, Friend to Alcibiades

Michael Pennington - Timon

Rupert Penry-Jones - Alcibiades

Peter Reeves - Old Athenian, Senator of Athens

Ewart James Walters - Senator of Athens

John Woodvine - Flavius

 

CREATIVES

 

Director – Gregory Doran

Designer – Stephen Brimson Lewis

Lighting Designer – Howard Harrison

Music – Duke Ellington, John Woolf (arranger)

Movement - Sian Williams

Fight arranger - Terry King

 

The RSC's archive is held at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. You can visit the Library and Archives there to look at production related information, including photos, videos of shows and stage management documents:

Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive homepage

You can search the RSC catalogue here: 

RSC performance database

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