John Normington
I was saddened today to hear of the death of John Normington. He was one of those numerous British actors whose name and face you know but often can’t put the two together. You hear his name and think, “Ah yes! He’s good!” but can’t put a face to the name, or you see him in something on TV and think, “Who is that? I know the face. He’s really good.”
There are so many like him, actors who are constantly working and turning in fine performances but who have never, for whatever reason - and it has nothing to do with talent for he (and they) are very talented - never quite made it to the top of the tree. But they are the foundation stones of British theatre: the actors who year after year produce the goods, whether in small parts or large, turning up on stage in a huge variety of theatres, from the RSC and the National to regional theatres to fringe theatres, or on TV or in films.
Without them British theatre would not be the envy of the world, for the big names are all very well - and we all enjoy seeing the Ian McKellens and the Judi Denches and the like - but without the support they get from people like John Normington, they (and I’m sure they would be the first to admit this) would not reach the heights they do.
He will be sadly missed, but we are fortunate that we do have strength in depth in the acting talent of this country and there are others who will carry on in the same tradition, the backbone of British theatre.