Barrie Rutter

Barrie Rutter
Name	Barrie Rutter
Birth date	1946
Birth place	Hull, England
Occupation	Actor, director, theatre founder
Years active	1968–present
Known for	Founding Northern Broadsides

Barrie Rutter. A formidable force in British theatre, Barrie Rutter is an actor and director renowned for founding the pioneering touring company Northern Broadsides. Celebrated for his robust, muscular approach to classical theatre, he championed Northern voices and a distinctive performance style that rejected Received Pronunciation in favor of his native Yorkshire dialect. His career, spanning over five decades, has left an indelible mark on the British regional theatre landscape, earning him widespread acclaim and several major awards.

Early life and education

Born in 1946 in the port city of Hull, Rutter was immersed in the distinctive culture and speech of Yorkshire from an early age. He developed a passion for performance and language, which led him to study at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. His training at this renowned institution provided a classical foundation, but he would later consciously react against its traditional emphasis on Standard English in classical roles, a decision that would define his artistic mission.

Career

Rutter's early professional career saw him establish a strong reputation as a powerful character actor with several leading companies. He performed extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), appearing in productions alongside renowned figures like Alan Howard and Ian McKellen. He also worked with the National Theatre and was a member of the innovative Joint Stock Theatre Company, known for its collaborative and political work. These experiences with Britain's foremost theatrical institutions honed his craft but also solidified his desire to create a company with a distinctly different, regional identity and performance aesthetic.

Northern Broadsides

In 1992, Rutter founded Northern Broadsides in Dean Clough, Halifax, with a radical manifesto. The company was dedicated to performing classical works, particularly those of William Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw, using Northern accents and a direct, energetic style he described as "brass neck and no compromise." Rejecting what he saw as the sometimes precious approach of Southern-based companies, Northern Broadsides toured extensively to community venues and theatres-in-the-round across the United Kingdom. Landmark productions under his leadership included a celebrated *Richard III* set in the Wars of the Roses period and a hugely popular version of *The Canterbury Tales*.

Directing and acting credits

As a director for Northern Broadsides, Rutter's notable stagings included a modern-dress *Romeo and Juliet*, *The Merry Wives of Windsor*, and a critically acclaimed *Antony and Cleopatra*. He also frequently took leading roles in his own productions, such as playing Falstaff in both parts of *Henry IV* and the title role in *King Lear*. Beyond his company, he directed for Opera North and appeared in television series including *Heartbeat* and *The Bill*, as well as in films like *Liam*.

Awards and recognition

Rutter's contribution to theatre has been recognized with several prestigious awards. In 2006, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to drama. He has also received honorary doctorates from the University of Huddersfield and the University of Hull, acknowledging his cultural impact. His production of *The Canterbury Tales* for Northern Broadsides won a Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for Best Production.

Personal life

Barrie Rutter has been a lifelong advocate for the arts in the North of England, residing in Yorkshire for much of his life. He stepped down as Artistic Director of Northern Broadsides in 2018 after 26 years at its helm, though he remains closely associated with the company's legacy. His work continues to inspire a generation of actors and directors committed to regional identity in the performing arts.

Category:English male stage actors Category:English theatre directors Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire Category:People from Hull