Sir David Suchet | The Shakespeare Portraits

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The Shakespeare Portraits (Act I)

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Sir David
Suchet

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow...

Arsalan Sattari-Hicks (StageBlock, 2023)

Medium: Long form video, code, computer, HD speakers, UHD 4K display, sensors.

Unique Performance & Living Portrait

Aquired
1/1 Artwork | Artist's Frame from 32"

Study for Portrait

Guide Price on Request

From a varying edition of 10 | Living Portrait | Artist's Frame from 27"

The Sitter

While globally iconic as the definitive Hercule Poirot—a role he played for 25 years—Sir David Suchet is a giant of the British stage. An Emmy and Olivier Award winner, his credits range from the intense drama of All My Sons and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? to the film The Bank Job. Known for his "Method" approach and meticulous preparation, he brings a terrifying precision to his work, immersing himself so completely that the actor disappears, leaving only the truth of the character.

The Performance

In “tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow…” from Macbeth, Suchet delivers a mesmerizing meditation on ambition and loss. Though new to the role, his Macbeth unfolds as an intimate descent into a mind unraveling beneath unfulfilled dreams and consuming remorse. His voice carries the weight of universal lament — a chilling reflection on mortality and the fragile emptiness of power, leaving a haunting echo of life’s impermanence.

The Sitting

September 2022 - London, UK

Exhibition History

1 November 2024 - 31 January 2025, The Royal Exchange, London.

Part of The Shakespeare Collection (Act I)

In its first iteration, The Shakespeare Portraits (Act I) captures the presence and spirit of the most revered actors of our time, fusing the timeless appeal of portraiture with the emotional depth of performance in an unprecedented encounter.

These seemingly endless "Living Portraits" embody the essence of the sitter, revealing their nuances gradually only when lived with over time. Each piece includes an iconic speech selected in collaboration with the actor and guest curator Ron Daniels (Royal Shakespeare Company Honorary Associate Director), evoking the profound bond between the performer and the text—be it a long-aspired-for character or a career-defining role.

Captured in a single take using state-of-the-art cinematography, the portraits are meticulously refined through studio finalisation. Each edition is authenticated on-chain, encased in a bespoke Artist's Frame, and designed to sit seamlessly among traditional artworks in public and private collections.

This debut collection by Arsalan Sattari-Hicks marks a sustainable new path for performance in the art world, combining ethical, artist-led production with emerging technologies and a long-term commitment to the performing arts community.

Bespoke Artist's Frame, custom-engineered for the work.

Available in a selection of hand-finished metals or hardwoods, curated in collaboration with the collector to suit the installation environment.

Commercial-grade 4K UHD OLED display

15.7 x 27.9 inches (39.9 x 70.9 cm) 32" Standard, unframed.

Bespoke scaling available for screens 32" – 55".

Large-scale projection and sculptural installation formats available on request.

Dual-layer provenance via physical and digital certification.

Physical: Accompanied by a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) issued by the artist and the representing gallery.

Digital: A unique Blockchain Authentication Token minted on the Google Cloud Universal Ledger. This immutable record can be transferred directly to the collector’s digital wallet or held in secure custody by StageBlock. Ownership is recorded anonymously via wallet address to ensure absolute privacy while guaranteeing permanent provenance.

Global Logistics

All artworks are encased in bespoke, museum-grade protective crating and shipped via specialist art logistics partners. The studio manages all international export documentation and insurance, ensuring secure delivery from the studio to the collector’s wall.

Installation & Commissioning

The works are designed for seamless "plug-and-play" operation. For standard editions, simple wall-mounting hardware is included. For larger commissions, the StageBlock technical team offers a full white-glove installation service, managing everything from architectural integration to final on-site calibration.

Mounting: Standard rail wall-mount (Customisation available).
Power: Standard single wire mains electricity (110V–240V). No proprietary cabling required.
Connectivity: Works function offline. Wi-Fi/Ethernet can be enabled for remote diagnostics.
Support: Remote technical support is available for the lifetime of the artwork.

Complex Install: For projection mapping or multi-screen arrays and installations. The artist and team will be present.

Artist
Guest Speech Director

Guest DoP

Colourist

Sound Recordists

Sound Editor

Production Assistant

Make-up

Gaffers

Backstage Content

Arsalan Sattari-Hicks

Ron Daniels