Socrates Editions 4

Socrates is an international design group based in London. In 2020, we launched a series of limited-edition books, designed to celebrate the expertise of photographers, illustrators, or writers with whom we’ve had the pleasure of working. Entitled ‘The Homes of Dionysus’, our most recent edition explores the wonderful world of London’s theatres. Featuring the exceptional architectural illustrations of Robbie Polley through a mixture of pen, pencil, and watercolour, and complemented by anecdotes from former Berry Bro’s & Rudd chairman, Simon Berry, Editions 4 is designed to offer the reader a tactile and reminiscent experience.

Central to the success of Editions 4 was the quality of production, encased in an origami-inspired fold-out that embraces bold black and white typography, presented in a fabric-cased book with gold lettering, and brought together by a monochromatic and red palette evocative of the interiors of so many of London’s landmark theatres. Ultimately, it has been designed to be a bold, dramatic statement, a real celebration of the experience of going to the theatre, and hopefully a much-loved coffee table book.