Terry Hands

Terry Hands was a renowned British theatre director, known for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and his tenure as artistic director of the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. Hands' career spanned over four decades, during which he collaborated with notable figures such as Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, and Patrick Stewart. His productions often featured complex, visually stunning sets, and he was particularly drawn to the works of William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson. Hands' directing style was influenced by his experiences working with Peter Brook and Peter Hall.

● Early Life and Education

Terry Hands was born in Aldershot, Hampshire, and grew up in a family of modest means. He was educated at Upton Court Grammar School and later attended the University of London, where he studied English literature under the tutelage of Frank Kermode and William Empson. Hands' interest in theatre was sparked by his involvement with the National Youth Theatre, which led to his first professional directing job at the Bristol Old Vic. He also worked with the Royal Court Theatre and the English Stage Company, where he collaborated with John Osborne and Harold Pinter.

● Career

Hands' career with the Royal Shakespeare Company began in the 1960s, during which he directed productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, and The Winter's Tale. He worked closely with Trevor Nunn and John Barton, and his productions often featured innovative, experimental approaches to Shakespearean drama. Hands also directed plays by Tom Stoppard, Samuel Beckett, and Eugene O'Neill, and he was known for his ability to elicit powerful performances from his actors, including Helen Mirren, Ian Holm, and David Suchet. In addition to his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Hands directed productions for the National Theatre, the Old Vic, and the Globe Theatre.

● Major Works

Some of Hands' most notable productions include his 1977 production of Henry V, which starred Ian Charleson and Cherie Lunghi, and his 1985 production of Macbeth, which featured Jonathan Pryce and Sinead Cusack. He also directed a critically acclaimed production of The Cherry Orchard, which starred Diana Rigg and Bill Nighy, and a production of The Importance of Being Earnest, which featured Donald Sinden and Wendy Craig. Hands' productions often toured internationally, visiting cities such as New York City, Paris, and Tokyo, and he worked with companies such as the Comédie-Française and the Moscow Art Theatre.

● Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Hands received numerous awards and nominations for his directing work, including Laurence Olivier Awards, Tony Awards, and Drama Desk Awards. He was also recognized for his contributions to the arts, receiving a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2007. Hands was a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of the Theatre Directors' Guild, and he served on the boards of organizations such as the Arts Council England and the British Theatre Association. He was also awarded honorary degrees from universities such as University of Warwick and University of Exeter.

● Personal Life

Hands was married to the actress Liz Gebhardt, and the couple had two children together. He was known for his love of classical music and his passion for gardening, and he was a longtime supporter of organizations such as the Royal Shakespeare Company's The Other Place and the Theatre Royal, Plymouth's Drum Theatre. Hands passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most respected and innovative theatre directors of his generation, with a body of work that includes collaborations with Royal Opera House, English National Opera, and BBC Radio 3. Category:British theatre directors