Leicester remembers Sir Peter Hall
Earlier this week, the University was saddened to hear of the death of theatre director and founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company Sir Peter Hall (pictured). Sir Peter was an honorary graduate of the University of Leicester, receiving a Doctor of Letters degree in 1977.
Credited with launching Samuel Beckett’s work in the UK with his London premiere of Waiting for Godot, Sir Peter’s influence impact on 20th century theatre has been praised from all quarters following the news of his death. Most notably, he founded the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1960 at the age of 29 while he was Director of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Among the founder members of the Company was future Leicester honorary graduate Sir Donald Sinden.
His illustrious career includes productions on the West End, Broadway and some of the UK and US’s leading theatres and opera houses. It also includes a number of productions with another fellow honorary graduate of the University, Greg Hicks.