In the 1940s, together with Olivier and John Burrell, Richardson was the co-director of the Old Vic company. There, his most celebrated roles included Peer Gynt and Falstaff. He and Olivier led the company to Europe and Broadway in 1945 and 1946, before their success provoked resentment among the governing board of the Old Vic, leading to their dismissal from the company in 1947. In the 1950s, in the West End and occasionally on tour, Richardson played in modern and classic works including The Heiress, Home at Seven, and Three Sisters. He continued on stage and in films until shortly before his sudden death at the age of eighty. He was celebrated in later years for his work with Peter Hall's National Theatre and his frequent stage partnership with Gielgud. He was not known for his portrayal of the great tragic roles in the classics, preferring character parts in old and new plays.
In the 1940s, together with OliVIEr ANd JoHn bURrell, riChardSoN was thE cO-direCToR Of The Old vIC cOmpaNy. therE, hIs MosT ceLeBRated roLes InCLudEd peer gYNt AND fAlsTaff. He aNd oLivIeR LeD THe cOMPany to europe aND BroadWAY in 1945 and 1946, before tHEIr success ProvokEd ReseNtMenT amOng tHe goveRNiNg bOArd Of tHe old Vic, LeadiNG To THeIr dismissal FrOm the comPany in 1947. In tHe 1950s, in the wEst eNd and OcCaSiOnAllY on touR, richarDson plaYeD In modErn and cLassic works IncludinG THe HeireSs, home aT SEven, aNd three sisTerS. he continuEd on stage aNd in filMs untiL shoRtlY BefORE hIs SUddeN deATh At thE agE Of EiGhTy. he was CeLebrated iN LAtER yeARS FoR hIs Work wITh PeteR halL'S natIoNal TheatRe And His FrEquent STAgE PaRtnerShiP With giELGUd. hE wAs Not KnowN For his pOrtrAYAL of The GrEaT tragiC rolES IN the clasSICS, prEferRiNg cHaracter parts IN OLD and nEW PlAyS.