ACTORS preparing to perform will be featuring in a new photographic exhibition which opens shortly at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

It will run in tandem at the RSC’s Stratford-upon-Avon base with another display centred on fairies.

The two new free public exhibitions open from 10am daily on November 30 and run through to February 16 next year.

The photographic event, The Half, includes Simon Annand’s critically acclaimed work as well as added photos commissioned by the RSC of current actors and the behind the scenes work of the Costume Department.

The other exhibition, Sprite Symphony, is a new touring art installation and trail exploring the world of fairies from multi-disciplinary artists Davy and Kristin McGuire.

Both will take place in the theatre’s Ferguson Room.

This special version of the exhibition by Annand includes new photographs on public display for the first time of Jane Lapotaire, Michael Pennington and David Tennant from the RSC’s current production of Richard II.

The Half is an actor’s countdown to walking on stage and facing an audience and Annand’s photographs capture this final 35 minutes of excitement and intensity before the show begins.

Visitors are invited to peep into the secret world of the dressing room to discover actors engaging in personal reflections and private rituals as they make the transition into character.

The exhibition also features a video of images by him of the RSC’s costume team and acting company working together backstage, commissioned by the RSC as part of In Stitches, a celebration of costume. The images capture the team’s energy, collaboration and breadth of skills drawn on every day before and during a show.

There will be 94 prints of actors spanning over 30 years of British and as well as actors in the 2013 shows other RSC actors featured include Judi Dench, Jeremy Irons, David Oyelowo, Jonathan Slinger, Pippa Nixon and Mariah Gale. The exhibition also includes Cate Blanchett, Daniel Craig, Martin Sheen and Jude Law.