Special delivery featuring acting greats for theatre's anniversary

Actress Kate Burton with a stamp depicting her father Richard Burton in character as Henry V, 1955. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.

And now a new set of stamps is being issued to mark the 200th anniversary of The Old Vic theatre. The eight stamps depict performances at the London theatre including Richard Burton in Henry V, Judi Dench and John Stride in Romeo And Juliet, Laurence Olivier in The Dance Of Death and Maggie Smith in Hedda Gabler. The Old Vic was originally called the Royal Coburg and first opened in May 1818, built on reclaimed marshland, 300 yards south of the newly built Waterloo Bridge.

Speaking about her father’s inclusion, actress Kate Burton said: “I’m so happy that dad is being recognised for his brilliant work on stage because, god knows, he had such a wonderful, colourful life, never a dull moment, but he was an unbelievably gifted actor.”

The stamps will be on sale from 7,000 post offices nationwide from August 30.

Meanwhile, the Royal Mail has launched a trial of the UK’s first ever parcel postboxes. Small businesses and marketplace sellers will be able to post pre-paid parcels through securely designed parcel postboxes, in the same way that they currently post a letter.

The Royal Mail said it will be the first potential major change of use for the postbox in its last 160 years of existence. The trial launched yesterday in Northampton and Leicester, and will run until November.