Great actors have always attracted artists. Think of Edmund Kean, wild-eyed and demonic as Sir Giles Overreach, painted by George Clint; Ellen Terry captured as Lady Macbeth by John Singer Sargent; or Ruskin Spear’s portrayal of Laurence Olivier as the tormented, guilt-haunted Macbeth. For over a century, recording the voices of leading actors has been possible, but what if we could blend image and sound?
The answer lies within the radical new exhibition, The Shakespeare Portraits, currently showcased at the Red Eight Gallery located alongside the Royal Exchange in the heart of London. This exhibition presents ten digital portraits of renowned actors, each paired with evocative speeches from Shakespeare’s plays. The display creates something unique—an intersection where classical artistry meets cutting-edge technology.
During the visit, the exhibition’s creative director, Arsalan Sattari-Hicks, explained how these portraits function. Standing beneath Ian McKellen’s impressive image, I observed subtle movements; his head shifted, his eyes gazed around, and his expression captured various emotions. Amidst this, McKellen recited, “All the world’s a stage” from As You Like It, epitomizing the character's nuanced performance.
The gallery’s director, Richard Brierley, succinctly stated the exhibition's premise: “Normally the portrait is passive, and you are the active one. Here, the portrait is active, and you are passive.” It's this revolutionary approach to artwork and storytelling that's captivating visitors.
To truly appreciate the exhibition, one must understand the technology behind it. Sattari-Hicks elaborated on their process: they record the actors using advanced cameras and invest hours refining the material during post-production. The speeches are chosen collaboratively between the actors and Ron Daniels, the Shakespeare director responsible for curatorial choices. Typically, it takes about 80 minutes to finalize each recording, which showcases the actors’ extensive experience.
What was particularly captivating was the intimacy of the portrait experience. The actors' faces are presented as close-ups, making it feel as though they’ve materialized right onto the gallery walls. Patrick Stewart’s rendition of the St Crispin’s Day speech from Henry V removes the usual bombast, stripping it down to the essence of a man preparing for battle. The subtlety of his performance suggests modest certainty—an anchoring reflection on the weight of his responsibility.
Meanwhile, Derek Jacobi, when delivering the iconic lines, “To die, to sleep,” from Hamlet, incorporates contemplative pauses. These pauses invite viewers to ponder the significance of each word. Harriet Walter, playing Prospero from The Tempest, leaves no doubt about her character’s incredible power, emphasizing the verb, “I have bedimmed the noontide sun,” proving her mastery over even the elements.
Currently, the exhibition comprises unique collectable portraits available for purchase by individuals or institutions. These pieces, produced by StageBlock—a company co-founded by Sattari-Hicks and Francesco Pierangeli—aim to expand on this initial conception by planning additional volumes of The Shakespeare Portraits next year. Their aspirations don’t end there; the vision involves extending the concept of living portraits beyond Shakespeare to include other authors and cultures, marking their commitment to reinvesting 10% of profits back to the performing arts.
This impressive lineup includes not just McKellen and Stewart, but also celebrated figures like David Suchet, Juliet Stevenson, Adrian Lester, Simon Callow, and Charles Dance. Given the star power behind the exhibition, the potential for profits seems promising. Yet, the ambition presents questions—will this wave of innovation overshadow individual talent, especially the traditional portrait artists? One can only hope to encounter exhibits where Salvador Dalí’s captivating painting of Olivier as Richard III stands side by side with McKellen’s digital portrait, both masters of their craft, pondering each other’s presence.
The Shakespeare Portraits is on display at the Red Eight Gallery until December 6. Audiences are invited to immerse themselves within this blend of artistic mastery and technological ingenuity, presenting past voices and figures with fresh relevance.
