Harcourt Williams

Ernest George Harcourt Williams was a noted English actor and director. Born on 30 March 1880 in Croydon, Surrey, Williams gained early acting experience from various touring companies, before establishing himself as a character actor and director in the West End. From 1929 to 1934, he directed The Old Vic theatre company, where he recruited legendary actors like John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson. During his tenure, Williams directed about fifty plays for the company, and even after his resignation, he continued to appear in the company's productions throughout his career. In his later years, Williams had a considerable role in cinema and television, making around thirty appearances. Williams made his London debut in 1900, playing Sir Thomas Grey in Henry V. He was known for co-directing and starring in the adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in a play titled 'The Bennets'. It's also noteworthy that he was the first known professional actor to play Mr. Darcy. Throughout his career, Williams demonstrated a great feel for Shakespeare's poetry and had a desire to introduce a more psychological interpretation of character. After Williams left the directorship of the Old Vic, he would frequently accept invitations to act with the company, which he did for Guthrie and the successors who came after. Having celebrated his golden jubilee as an actor, he passed away in London due to a long illness, on the 13th of December 1957, aged 77.