Tributes paid to theatre legend Sir Peter
VANESSA Redgrave has led tributes to Sir Peter Hall, the former director of the National Theatre and founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company, who has died aged 86.
The theatre great died in a London hospital surrounded by his family on Monday.
Redgrave worked with Sir Peter in Stratford, on Broadway, and later, with her daughter Joely Richardson, with the Peter Hall Company.
She said: “He was a fascinating director. I count myself very lucky to have worked with him.”
Sir Peter, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2011, founded the RSC in 1960, aged just 30, and stayed there until 1968.
He was appointed the National Theatre’s director in 1973.
Its current director, Rufus Norris, said: “His legendary tenacity and vision created an extraordinary and lasting legacy for us all.
“All of us, including those in the new generation of theatre-makers not immediately touched by his influence, are in his debt.
“His legendary tenacity and vision created an extraordinary and lasting legacy for us all.”
The RSC said it was “greatly saddened by the news”.