When questioned about the audience at Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theatre, a man who ought to know said, “Well, we're working out a deal with New York. They're going to send us 300,000 Jews and Italians and we're going to send them 300,000 Swedes and Norwegians.” The Guthrie started because Sir Tony wanted a regional theatre and Minneapolis came up with the best bid. Like starting an industry or relocating a plant. Three years have passed since the missionaries arrived. Sir Tony is leaving and his associate artistic director, Douglas Campbell, is replacing him. The theatre has developed into one of the two best in the nation (Washington's Arena Stage is the other). But something is missing—dialogue with the audience.

Sir Tony directed two plays last season, The Cherry Orchard and Richard III. The first was a museum piece of exquisite taste, the second a bold and bald exercise in condescension.