'Great interpreter of Shakespeare' Yukio Ninagawa dies

Yukio Ninagawa, the Japanese stage director known for his adaptations of Shakespeare, has died aged 80.

In response to the sad news, the RSC posted a tribute from Gregory Doran, the company’s artistic director, who described Ninagawa as “a great interpreter of Shakespeare”, adding: “We first became aware of his theatrical genius when Thelma Holt introduced his astonishing production of Medea to the UK in the early 1980s. His ravishing Titus Andronicus was performed in Stratford as part of the Complete Works Festival in 2006. I am thrilled that we were able to include a short extract from his beautiful cherry blossom Macbeth in Shakespeare Live! From the RSC which was broadcast on Shakespeare's 400th anniversary last month.”

RSC Executive Director, Catherine Mallyon, said: “Yukio Ninagawa’s innovative take on classical theatre and eye for stunning staging will be greatly missed.”