 The concept for the series originated in 1959 with Peter Dews, a veteran BBC producer and director, who was inspired by a 1951 Anthony Quayle directed production of the "Henriad" at the Theatre Royal and a 1953 Douglas Seale directed repertory cast production of the three parts of "Henry VI" at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and subsequently, The Old Vic.At the time, "An Age of Kings" was the most conceptually ambitious Shakespeare project ever undertaken, containing over 600 speaking roles, and requiring thirty weeks of rehearsal prior to performance.Each episode cost roughly £4,000.