Richard III, from Laurence Olivier to Kevin Spacey – in pictures

One of the most famous 18th-century Richard IIIs was David Garrick, depicted here in a painting by William Hogarth. The picture describes the tent scene, in which Richard III passes an unpleasant night before the fateful showdown at Bosworth Field
Photograph: Stephen Kelly/PA

Laurence Olivier first played 'Crookback' in the 1940s; the wig and prosthetic nose became nearly as famous as his snarling delivery. Critic Kenneth Tynan observed: 'Occasionally he lets out a gurgling, avuncular cackle, a good-humoured snarl: and then we see the overriding mephitic good humour of the man' Photograph: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS

In 1955, Laurence Olivier transferred one of his most famous roles to the silver screen – even occasioning this backhanded compliment from Peter Sellers (via the Beatles)
Photograph: ITV/Rex Features

A postmodern interpretation of the role came via Antony Sher at the RSC in 1984. The actor delved into the psychological and physiological background of the play, recording his experiences in a book-length study, The Year of the King
Photograph: Tony Prime

Al Pacino took time out in the mid-90s to launch an assault on Richard III; his (sometimes frustrated) attempts to get a hold of the part are recorded in his documentary film Looking for Richard (1996) Photograph: Allstar/Cinetext/20TH CENTURY FOX

Another actor to make the Shakespearean leap from stage to screen was Ian McKellen, whose appearance in Richard Eyre's fascist-era production of the play was later made into a film directed by Richard Loncraine – helping, as it happens, to launch McKellen's career in Hollywood Photograph: Ronald Grant Archive

Kenneth Branagh's 2002 turn as Richard III for the Sheffield Crucible marked his return to the stage after a decade-long gap. His performance made the Guardian's Michael Billington think of 'a villainous compere who announces "the new delivered Hastings" as if he were bringing on a variety act'
Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

The RSC's Histories cycle saw one company of actors perform every play in Shakespeare's tetralogy. Jonathan Slinger acted Richards II and III – the 'glittering malevolence' of his turn as the latter impressing Michael Billington
Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

So what will Kevin Spacey's Richard III (a highlight of Sam Mendes's Bridge Project and one of the theatrical events of the year) be like? You'll somehow have to get hold of a ticket to find out ...
Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian