Peter Hall

Peter Hall (1930-2017) is one of the most influential directors of Shakespeare's plays in the modern age. During his directorship of the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, Hall's productions promoted Shakespeare as a writer who can comment incisively on the modern world. Productions such as 'Coriolanus', 'The Wars of the Roses', and 'Hamlet' established his reputation as a director able to bring Shakespeare to the heart of contemporary politics. He later cemented his reputation with epic productions of 'Coriolanus' and 'Antony and Cleopatra' at the National. With the Peter Hall Company, Hall continued to work intensively on Shakespeare, directing plays in the UK and America. Reviewing Hall's work in its cultural and creative context, this study explores his approach to directing and rehearsal.