Hayden Griffin (23 January 1943 – 24 March 2013) was a stage designer, known for his work for the
Royal Court Theatre and the
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London, commonly known as the National Theatre (NT), is one of the United Kingdom's three most prominent publicly funded performing arts venues, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Opera House. I ...
in London. Griffin was "regarded by many as the finest stage designer of his generation".
Early life
He was born on 23 January 1943 in
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg (; Zulu: umGungundlovu) is the capital and second-largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838 and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its Zulu name umGungundlovu ...
, South Africa.
His father flew for the South African Air Force as a Spitfire pilot, and his mother was a cousin of the novelist
Alan Paton
Alan Stewart Paton (11 January 1903 – 12 April 1988) was a South African writer and anti-apartheid activist. His works include the novels ''Cry, the Beloved Country'' and '' Too Late the Phalarope''.
Family
Paton was born in Pietermaritzbu ...
.
He was educated at
Maritzburg College, followed by
Durban Art School and the
Theatre Design Course at Sadler's Wells, London under
Margaret Harris in 1966/7.
Career
An
Academy and
Olivier Award nominated set & costume designer, Griffin's work included ''
Wetherby'', ''
Intimacy'', ''
Six Characters in Search of An Author (film)'', and ''
Syrup.'' As well as the Royal Court Theatre and the Royal National Theatre, he also worked for the
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs over 1,000 staff and produces around 20 productions a year. The RSC plays regularly in London, St ...
,
Public Theater,
Royal Opera House,
English National Opera,
Metropolitan Opera House,
Birmingham Royal Ballet
Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) is one of the five major ballet companies of the United Kingdom, alongside The Royal Ballet, the English National Ballet, Northern Ballet and Scottish Ballet. Founded as the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet, the company ...
,
San Francisco Ballet,
Royal Lyceum Theatre and the
Teatro Stabile in Genoa.
He was closely associated with
Margaret Harris and the
Motley Theatre Design Course after arriving in Britain in 1965, firstly as a student on the inaugural year of the course in 1966, and latterly as teacher and co-director.
He also taught at the
London Film School
London Film School (LFS) is a film school in London and is situated in a converted brewery in Covent Garden, London, neighbouring Soho, a hub of the UK film industry. It is the oldest film school in the UK. until the end of his life.
Personal life
Griffin was married twice, firstly to Carol Lawrence, a fellow Motley student, with whom he had three children, and secondly to Fiona Williams, with whom he had a son.
Death
He died from cancer on 24 March 2013, in London, aged 70.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Griffin, Hayden
1943 births
2013 deaths
People from Pietermaritzburg
British scenic designers
Alumni of Maritzburg College