Please bear in mind that this collection is subjective to the viewing habits of my parents as a couple who have been attending the theatre over the last 28 years. It is based on their personal taste and variable circumstances, so will document these aspects a small amount as well.
Chronological
It is immediately obvious the the earlier programmes relied a lot more on an illustrative approach. The RSC were also more experimental with the shapes and style of the programmes, having long thin ones and square ones, and only really instigating a regimental logo (in the same place and same colours) in the early 2000s (2004). The use of creating a series of programmes reflecting a 'season' at the theatre also became more common once in the 2000s.
On personal reflection, whilst the logo is integral to the company's identity, and hasn't changed form a large amount since the start of the typology, I do think the set use of the logo in the red space, top left corner, can restrict the designs a little, rather than be integrated into the visuals like in the earlier releases. Perhaps the RSC, since moving into the new millennium, used this to help construct a more formal and identifiable brand appearance, especially since their direction towards their re-development and new approach to marketing and widening their audiences.
Media
As mentioned previously, the illustrative style is more in use in the earlier decades. Covers that use photographic material seems to be more and more common in latest years, also noting, a slight preference of using photographs specifically for Shakespeare's plays. However, all the covers, especially when seen all together, are so rich in colour, texture, type and format that, no matter whether they are illustrative or photographic, they all appear mixed media, and rely on that artistic freedom.
Seasons
The RSC release a set of plays they are putting on for each season of the year, and also occasionally take influence from visiting companies or social occasions. As we have seen from the Chronological category, the RSC started to implement the use of related visuals on their programmes, to link these seasons together, within the mid 2000s. This makes them into a collection, much the same as a series of books, which, I presume, makes it more desirable for audiences, and more of an incentive to attend everything the RSC has to offer!
Gender
This category has the most political tendencies for obvious reasons. When grouped together, there are more programme covers with just males on, than just women, however there is a majority on covers with both male and female characters. Is this still a cause for concern? It's difficult to pass judgement as you have to consider the times Shakespeare lived in of course, and the amount of his plays which focus on a lead male character. However, Shakespeare is also really known for his strong female characters and roles. If you look at the covers for plays that are not Shakespeare, the ones with female role models are slightly more common than those with men. It seems feminism in independent publications is prominent.
Plays
Each play that has been represented more than once is displayed in many varied styles, however the core emotive concept of the play in the question is always the same or similar, for example the cheeky, slightly humorous appeal of all the covers for "Merry Wives of Windsor", and the dark surrealism of "Richard iii". The attribute that came up which can be taken for consideration is noting which of the Shakespeare plays were repeated the most or the least within the last 30 or so years. Surprisingly, some plays which I thought would be considered popular, such as "Much Ado About Nothing", have only been put on once! (Although it is now being played in the coming season, Summer 2012).
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