The founding director of the Rose Theatre in Kingston, Sir Peter Hall, has died at the age of 86.

He took the role when the theatre was started to be built in 2003, and directed several productions there including Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya when it opened in 2008.

Another memorable production was A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which he directed in 2010 with Dame Judi Dench playing Titania.

Robert O’Dowd, Chief Executive at the Rose, said: “Peter brought so much to theatre and opera, and the Rose would not be what it is today without his passion and energy in our early years. He will be sadly missed.”

Sir Peter had an international reputation as the foremost authority on Shakespearean directing, having founded the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1960.

He was also Chancellor of Kingston University from 2000 to 2013.

In 2011 he received a diagnosis of dementia, after which he retired from public life.

Sir Peter is survived by his widow Nicki, and children Christopher, Jennifer, Edward, Lucy, Rebecca and Emma, as well as nine grandchildren.