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Long biography
John Gunter trained at the Central School of Art and Design in London . After periods as resident designer for the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre and for the Schauspielhaus Zürich he pursued an increasingly busy freelance career in Britain and abroad. He became Head of Design at the Royal National Theatre in 1988 and Associate Designer there from 1990-1993.
Productions designed over the last three decades include Edward Bond's SAVED, Storey's THE CONTRACTOR and Hampton's THE PHILANTHROPIST at the Royal Court; productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company including WEST OF SUEZ, JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK (nominated for a SWET Award) as well as many Shakespeare productions for the company in Stratford and London. His work at the Royal National Theatre dates from the 1970s where productions have included Chris Morahan's WILD HONEY, Sir Richard Eyre's GUYS AND DOLLS (each winning him a SWET Award) and David Hare's play SKYLIGHT(the latter two being subsequently seen in many parts of the world). Many of these plays and musicals transferred to the West End and to Broadway where his work has been regularly seen since the 1960s. Other US productions have included work with the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles.
In parallel with his career in spoken theatre, John Gunter has designed many operas in three continents. These include several for Glyndebourne - his 1985 production of ALBERT HERRING was revived in 2002 and 2008 - where he has worked frequently with Sir Peter Hall. His designs for LE NOZZE DI FIGARO opened the new theatre there in 1994 and PORGY AND BESS for Sir Trevor Nunn was seen on television (winning an Emmy Award in 1994) and at Covent Garden. Work at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden includes SIMON BOCCANEGRA (revived 2008) and DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER. At the English National Opera his productions include SIR JOHN IN LOVE (2006), FAUST, DON QUIXOTE and MEPHISTOPHELES. Recent productions include OTELLO (San Francisco Opera 2009); SIMON BOCCANEGRA (Los Angeles, 2009); ROMEO ET JULIETTE (Los Angeles Opera and Lyric Opera Chicago 2005/06); DON CARLO (Los Angeles), PETER GRIMES (Osterfestspiele Salzburg 2005) and DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER (Baden-Baden and St Petersburg 2008). He has also worked with the San Francisco, La Scala Milan, Buenos Aires and Australian Opera companies.
Other acclaimed productions include JEFFEY BERNARD IS UNWELL, many for Sir Peter Hall in the West End including LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN and MRS WARREN'S PROFESSION in 2002.
Recent productions include BORN IN THE GARDENS (Theatre Royal Bath 2008); PORGY AND BESS – the musical (London); DOUBT (Tricycle Theatre 2007); THE OLD COUNTRY (2006 UK Tour and West End); EPITAPH FOR GEORGE DILLON with Joseph Fiennes in the West End; HAMLET (Old Vic); LOVE'S LABOURS LOST and ANYTHING GOES (later West End) at The National Theatre with Sir Trevor Nunn and DESIGN FOR LIVING, BETRAYAL (also West End and UK Tour), THE FIGHT FOR BARBARA and AS YOU LIKE IT (also US Tours) for the Peter Hall Company at Theatre Royal Bath. He designs regularly for the Chichester Festival.
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