In 1953, Colquhoun was commissioned to design the costumes and sets for George Devine’s production of King Lear at Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. Colquhoun’s spare, almost abstract set design, which contrasted with the vivid colour and rich fabrics of his costumes, received mixed reactions from the press. This costume sketch is for Regan, Lear’s second daughter. During the battle scenes in Act V, Regan appears in battle dress – wearing a helmet, coronet and travel cloak. Colquhoun’s costumes seem to have used colour as an identifier of character – Regan’s costumes all contain red.