Early in his career, John was asked by
Laurence Olivier to direct the National
Theatre Company in the award-winning film of Chekhov's
Three Sisters (1970) with
Olivier,
Joan Plowright and
Alan Bates. He then went on to direct Olivier in
Shakespeare's
The Merchant of Venice (1976) and
Alec Guinness and
Ralph Richardson in
Twelfth Night (1970).
His experience as a commissioner and director of drama and
drama-documentaries enabled him to work with some of the world's finest
actors including
Derek Jacobi,
Helen Mirren,
Anthony Hopkins,
Sean Connery and
Michael Caine. He has
also worked as a director and trainer at several of the UK's leading
theatres and institutions including the Young Vic, Guildhall School of
Drama, RADA, Shaw Theatre, Italia Conti, London Film School, Edinburgh
Festival. For the latter part of his career he established ARTTS
Skillcentre, a training facility supporting artists in employment with
the film and television industry.