Biography

John Dexter (2 August 1925 – 23 March 1990) was an English theatre, opera and film director. Born in Derby, Derbyshire, England, Dexter left school at the age of fourteen to serve in the British Army during the Second World War. Following the war, he began working as a stage actor before turning to producing and directing shows for repertory companies. In 1957, he was appointed Associate Director of the English Stage Company based at the Royal Court. Dexter's first great success was his production of Roots, in 1959, which brought Joan Plowright to prominence.