Four Questions #2: Tom Morris, Artistic Director

We asked Tom Morris four questions about his experience of the redevelopment project:

What has been the most surprising discovery for you during this process?

The most exciting discovery has been the original dimensions and position of the stage – which vindicate the experiments we carried out for Juliet and her Romeo and Swallows and Amazons.  James Saunders(on), who designed this theatre, really knew what he was doing.  The greatest actor of the day, David Garrick said:

“You cannot have a better man for your business than Saunderson, clear brain’d to ye skull of him”.

What has been the most exciting moment for you so far?

The most exciting moment was standing in the old stage-right slip entrance, unveiled for the first time since Phipps chopped back the fore-stage in 1880.  We’ll be using that entrance again this summer.

You can still see the stains of sweat and greasepaint where the 18^th century actors used to lean before making their entrances.

What are you still looking forward to?

Putting shows on.

What’s the best thing about your role on the project?

The opportunity to make this theatre sing again, like it did in 1766.