Yasuhito Takeuchi's Innovative Approach to Shakespearean Theatre Posters

Takeuchi's Richard III Poster: A Silver A' Design Award Winner

Takeuchi's inspiration for the Richard III poster came from the character's life. Richard, the third of four brothers, was a handicapped child who lived a lonely life. Despite his physical limitations, Richard was intelligent and manipulative, characteristics that Takeuchi sought to capture in his design. The world of Richard III is one of darkness, a theme that Takeuchi has masterfully incorporated into his design.

The uniqueness of Takeuchi's design lies in its impactful visual representation. Unlike traditional theatre posters, which are often simple and unremarkable, Takeuchi's design resonates with those who may not typically attend theatre performances. The poster captures the ambition and loneliness of Richard, using a black impact expression and combining various elements of different materials and physicality.

The poster was realized through a complex process. Takeuchi painted Richard's entire body black, symbolizing his hatred for the world and his singular ambition. The rose, a symbol of the United Kingdom during the War of the Roses, was also painted black. Takeuchi incorporated different materials into the design to depict Richard as a murder machine, despite his physical limitations.

The poster, sized at A1 (594 mm - 841 mm), is a powerful representation of love, literature, lust, war, British history, theatre, and Shakespeare. It is a testament to human desire, failure, frustration, and the need for love, as seen through the character of Richard III. The poster was used in various promotional materials, including on the web and social media networks.

The project began in Tokyo in February 2015 and ended in May 2015. It was exhibited at Theatre Fushikaden Tokyo in June 2015. Despite the challenges of representing a complex character like Richard III and the intricate history of Britain, Takeuchi was able to find the right keywords and painting techniques to bring his vision to life. The result is a visually impactful poster that not only promotes a theatre performance but also serves as a work of art.

Takeuchi's innovative approach to theatre poster design has not gone unnoticed. His Richard III poster was awarded Silver in the A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award in 2018. This award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. Takeuchi's design certainly fits this description, showcasing a remarkable level of excellence and introducing positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.