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The Narrative: Sir Peter Hall, A Life in Theatre

Ian McEwan

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Published in The Narrative Sir Peter Hall

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Sir Peter Hall was one of the most influential theatre directors of our time. His career spanned over six decades, and he was responsible for some of the most iconic productions in British theatre history. Hall was the founding director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and the National Theatre, and he also directed many productions in the West End and on Broadway.

Hall was a visionary director who was always pushing the boundaries of theatre. He was not afraid to take risks, and he was always looking for new ways to engage with audiences. Hall's productions were known for their clarity, their intelligence, and their emotional power.

The Narrative

by Sir Peter Hall

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6102 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	19 pages
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Hall was also a great teacher and mentor. He helped to launch the careers of many of the most successful actors and directors in the world. Hall was a passionate advocate for theatre, and he believed that it had the power to change lives.

The Narrative is a captivating biography of Sir Peter Hall. The book is written by John Peter, a renowned theatre critic, and provides a unique insight into Hall's life and work. Peter has interviewed Hall and many of his close friends and colleagues, and he has drawn on a wealth of archival material to create a comprehensive and engrossing portrait of one of the most important figures in British theatre.

The Narrative is essential reading for anyone who is interested in theatre. It is a fascinating and inspiring account of the life and work of one of the most influential theatre directors of our time.

Early Life and Career

Peter Hall was born in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England, on November 22, 1930. His father was a doctor, and his mother was a schoolteacher. Hall was educated at The Perse School in Cambridge and then at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied English literature.

Hall's interest in theatre began at an early age. He was involved in the Cambridge University Marlowe Society, and he directed his first play, Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, while still an undergraduate.

After graduating from Cambridge, Hall worked as an assistant director at the Oxford Playhouse and then at the Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Festival. In 1956, he was appointed the artistic director of the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry.

Hall's work at the Belgrade Theatre was highly praised, and he quickly established himself as one of the most promising young directors in the country. In 1960, he was appointed the artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).

The Royal Shakespeare Company

Hall's tenure at the RSC was one of the most successful in the company's history. He directed a wide range of productions, including Shakespeare's tragedies, comedies, and histories, as well as new plays by contemporary writers such as John Osborne, Harold Pinter, and Tom Stoppard.

Hall's productions were known for their clarity, their intelligence, and their emotional power. He was also a great champion of new talent, and he helped to launch the careers of many of the most successful actors and directors in the world.

In 1973, Hall was appointed the artistic director of the National Theatre. He continued to direct a wide range of productions, and he also oversaw the construction of the National Theatre's new home on the South Bank.

Hall's tenure at the National Theatre was also highly successful. He directed many of the company's most iconic productions, including Shakespeare's Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth, as well as new plays by contemporary writers such as Alan Ayckbourn, David Hare, and Caryl Churchill.

Later Career

Hall retired from the National Theatre in 1988. However, he continued to work as a director, both in the West End and on Broadway. He also taught at the Yale School of Drama and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Hall was a passionate advocate for theatre, and he believed that it had the power to change lives. He was a generous and inspiring mentor, and he helped to launch the careers of many of the most successful actors and directors in the world.

Peter Hall died on September 11, 2018, at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife, the actress Maria Aitken, and their two children.

Legacy

Peter Hall was one of the most influential theatre directors of our time. His career spanned over six decades, and he was responsible for some of the most iconic productions in British theatre history. Hall was a visionary director who was always pushing the boundaries of theatre. He was not afraid to take risks, and he was always looking for new ways to engage with audiences.

Hall's productions were known for their clarity, their intelligence, and their emotional power. He was also a great teacher and mentor, and he helped to launch the careers of many of the most successful actors and directors in the world.

Hall's legacy will continue to inspire generations of theatre artists. He was a true giant of the theatre, and he will be remembered as one of the most important figures in British theatre history.

Sir Peter Hall The Narrative Sir Peter Hall