RSC founder Sir Peter Hall, 86

Sir Peter Hall, founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and former National Theatre director, has died at the age of 86.

During his career he staged the English language premiere of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and the world premiere of Harold Pinter’s Homecoming.

Sir Peter became director of the National in 1973 and was responsible for the theatre’s move from the Old Vic to the purpose-built complex on the South Bank.

He had an international reputation as the foremost authority on Shakespearean directing, having divided 30 years almost equally between the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. He was devoted to the idea of theatre without commercialism and even after leaving the National he worked to achieve this ideal through the Peter Hall Company, which he set up in 1989.

The company found a home after two years at Jeffrey Archer’s theatre, the Playhouse at the Embankment.

Sir Peter put on four plays a year, each running for 12 weeks, with the only proviso from the Playhouse board of directors that they should not make a financial loss.

His great achievements in the arts were recognised throughout his career and awards included Chevalier, Ordre des Arts et Lettres in 1965, London Theatre Critics’ Award for Best Director in 1963 for Wars Of The Roses, The Homecoming and Hamlet in 1965 and the Antoinette Perry Award for Best Director for Amadeus in 1981.

He was married four times. His first wife was the actress Leslie Caron, his second was his former personal assistant Jacqueline Taylor, his third the opera singer Maria Ewing and his fourth Nicki Frei.

He is survived by his widow Nicki, children Christopher, Jennifer, Edward, Lucy, Rebecca and Emma and nine grandchildren.

Sir Peter Hall.