When John Harrison took charge at the Leeds Playhouse in 1972, he ensured the future of theatre in the city.
With his actor wife, Linda Gardner, he tackled the deficit from the organisation’s first four years with a broad mix of productions, plus an art house cinema in the amphitheatre.
The single play that marked the turnaround in its financial affairs was John’s production of The Tempest in 1974, when he persuaded Paul Scofield to play Prospero for the minimum rate. John’s time in Leeds was greatly appreciated.
