YP Comment: A pioneering company man

It is 25 years since Rutter created his theatre company at Hull Marina – in a boatshed where he staged a now famous production of Richard III.

From the outset, Rutter wanted to stay true to his Yorkshire roots and quickly gained a reputation for staging Shakespeare in a northern voice, with Northern Broadsides going on to establish itself as one of the country’s leading touring theatre companies, with more than 70 productions to its name.

As an actor-manager, Rutter harks back to the 19th century when such roles were commonplace in the theatre, but he and his cohorts have turned Northern Broadsides into a modern-day success story.

Through his passion, drive and indomitable spirit he helped give Yorkshire a genuine voice on the stage, and long may he continue to do so.