Skip to content
Surf Wiki
Save to docs
arts

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

Alun Armstrong

English actor (born 1946)


Summary

English actor (born 1946)

FieldValue
nameAlun Armstrong
imageAlun Armstrong (cropped-J1).jpg
captionArmstrong in January 2012
birthnameAlan Armstrong
birth_date
birth_placeAnnfield Plain, County Durham, England
spouseSue Bairstow
children3, including Joe
occupationActor
yearsactive1971–present

Alan Armstrong (born 17 July 1946), known professionally as Alun Armstrong, is an English character actor. He grew up in County Durham in North East England, and first became interested in acting through Shakespeare productions at his grammar school. Since his career began in the early 1970s, he has played, in his words, "the full spectrum of characters from the grotesque to musicals... I always play very colourful characters, often a bit crazy, despotic, psychotic".

His credits include several Charles Dickens adaptations, and the eccentric ex-detective Brian Lane in New Tricks. He is also an accomplished stage actor who spent nine years with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He originated the role of Monsieur Thénardier in the West End production of Les Misérables, and won an Olivier Award in the title role of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Early life

Born Alan Armstrong in Annfield Plain, County Durham, his father was a coal miner and both his parents were Methodist lay preachers. He attended Annfield Plain Junior School, then Consett Grammar School, where a teacher inspired him to try acting. In the lower sixth, he played Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, a role he later played with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Armstrong took part in the National Youth Theatre summer school in 1964, but his background and northern accent made him feel out of place. He studied fine art at Newcastle University. He found the course pretentious and felt that he did not fit in, and he was sent down after two years when he stopped attending classes.

Armstrong had jobs with a bricklayer and as a gravedigger before he decided to try acting again. He started out as an assistant stage manager at the Cambridge Arts Theatre, then went on to a Theatre in Education company affiliated with the Sheffield Repertory Theatre. He also performed in several Radio 4 dramas.

Career

Film

Armstrong made his screen debut in Get Carter (1971). On learning that the film was being made in Newcastle, Armstrong wrote a letter to MGM, the studio making the film, and was invited to meet director Mike Hodges, who was keen to cast local actors.

Armstrong has appeared in a number of films, although usually in supporting roles. In A Bridge Too Far (1977), he had a small role as one of the British troops at the Battle of Arnhem. He played a French soldier, Lieutenant Lecourbe, in Ridley Scott's 1977 film The Duellists. He had a supporting role as the bandit leader Torquil in the 1983 fantasy film Krull.

His first cinematic lead role was as Maxwell Randall, the titular vampire in Alan Clarke's snooker musical Billy the Kid and the Green Baize Vampire (1987). Armstrong sang "I Bite Back".

In Patriot Games (1992), Armstrong played an SO-13 officer. In Braveheart (1995), he played the Scottish noble Mornay who betrayed William Wallace. He was the villainous Egyptian cult leader Baltus Hafez in The Mummy Returns (2001), and he portrayed Saint Peter with a Geordie accent in Millions (2004). He also had small roles as the High Constable in Sleepy Hollow (1999), Cardinal Jinette in Van Helsing (2004), Magistrate Fang in Roman Polanski's Oliver Twist (2005) and Uncle Garrow in Eragon (2006).

Television

Armstrong has had over 80 roles in television productions. During the 1970s, he appeared in various TV series, including episodes of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, Porridge, Public Eye and The Sweeney.

He was cast in two mini-series dealing with coal miners in North East England. He played Joe Gowlan in The Stars Look Down (1974) based on the novel by A. J. Cronin and he appeared in Ken Loach's Days of Hope (1975) set in his native County Durham. In a 2007 interview, Armstrong singled out Days of Hope as a favourite: "I loved that because it was my own history and background that was being dramatised and, in a way, nothing gets better than that".

In the comedy series A Sharp Intake of Breath, he played a variety of characters who complicate the life of the main character played by David Jason. In 1977, he was the strict Deputy Headmaster in Willy Russell's Our Day Out, a television play about a group of poor schoolchildren on a daytrip. He also starred in the 1981 Yorkshire Television drama Get Lost!

Armstrong has portrayed characters from the works of Charles Dickens. He played Wackford Squeers and Mr. Wagstaff in the eight-hour Royal Shakespeare Company stage adaptation of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby that was filmed for television in 1982. He has appeared in two versions of Oliver Twist: the 1999 ITV mini-series as Agnes Fleming's father Captain Fleming and the 2005 Roman Polanski film as Magistrate Fang. He has had roles in four BBC Dickens adaptations, as Daniel Peggotty in David Copperfield (1999); as Inspector Bucket in Bleak House (2005); as Jeremiah and Ephraim Flintwinch in Little Dorrit (2008); and as Hiram Grewgious in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012). Armstrong has been a fan of Dickens since reading David Copperfield aloud in school. He particularly remembered Dan Peggotty's houseboat on the beach, and in order to play the role he turned down an offer from Clint Eastwood, with whom he had worked on White Hunter Black Heart.

In the BBC drama series Our Friends in the North (1996), he played Austin Donohue, a character based on the politician T. Dan Smith. Armstrong portrayed 18th century politician Henry Fox in the BBC serial Aristocrats (1999). In the 2000 TV film This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper, he portrayed George Oldfield, the Assistant Chief Constable for Crime at West Yorkshire Police whose health deteriorated during the investigation as he received messages purportedly from the killer. He was nominated for a Royal Television Society award for his role in This Is Personal.

In the second series of Bedtime (2002), he played a widower concerned about his son's suspicious behaviour. He and Brenda Blethyn co-starred in Between the Sheets (2003) as a frustrated married couple in sex therapy. In an adaptation of Carrie's War, he played a strict man who reluctantly takes in two children evacuated to Wales during World War II.

Armstrong is known for his role as Brian Lane in the BBC One series New Tricks about a group of former police detectives who help investigate unsolved and open cases for London's Metropolitan Police. The character of Brian Lane is an obsessive and socially inept recovering alcoholic who has a great capacity for remembering details of old cases and colleagues. In August 2012, Armstrong announced he would leave the show after the tenth series. The announcement followed comments by the cast in an interview with the Radio Times that criticised some of the series' writing, and which drew an angry rebuttal from the show's writer-director Julian Simpson.

During the run of New Tricks, Armstrong continued to take on other projects. He starred in the 2004 TV film When I'm 64 about a lonely retired schoolteacher who starts a relationship with another man. He chose the role, despite his apprehension about filming a love scene with co-star Paul Freeman, because he thought it was a lovely and thought-provoking story. He also starred in The Girls Who Came to Stay (2006), about a British couple who take in two girls exposed to the effects of the Chernobyl disaster, and Filth (2008), as the husband of "Clean-Up TV" activist Mary Whitehouse.

For three series from 2009 to 2011, he played William Garrow's mentor John Southouse in the BBC period legal drama Garrow's Law. In 2012, he played the Earl of Northumberland in the BBC2 adaptations of Henry IV, Parts I and II. His son Joe Armstrong played Northumberland's son Hotspur. In the 2014 Showtime horror series Penny Dreadful, Armstrong played Vincent Brand, an actor who gives Frankenstein's monster a job at the Grand Guignol. He guest starred in the 2014 Christmas special of Downton Abbey, and took the role of Clifford Bentley in ITV police drama Prime Suspect 1973.

Theatre

In addition to his film and television work, Armstrong has acted in many theatre productions. One of his early roles was Billy Spencer in David Storey's play The Changing Room at the Royal Court Theatre directed by Lindsay Anderson in 1971. In 1975, he played Touchstone in As You Like It directed by Peter Gill at the Nottingham Playhouse.

Armstrong spent nine years with the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1979 to 1988. On tour and at the Warehouse in 1979–80, he played Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing and Azdak in The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

In 1981, Armstrong joined the cast of the eight-hour production of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby as Wackford Squeers. The company went on tour to perform on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre. The play was filmed for television at the Old Vic Theatre in 1982.

In productions at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, and the Barbican Theatre in 1982–83, Armstrong played Trinculo in The Tempest and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew with Sinéad Cusack as Kate. In 1983, he played Ralph Trapdoor in The Roaring Girl starring Helen Mirren. He performed the roles of Leontes in The Winter's Tale and John Proctor in The Crucible on a national tour that included Christ Church, Spitalfields in 1984 and on tour to Poland in 1985. In 1985–86, he played Thersites in Troilus and Cressida.

In the autumn of 1985, Armstrong took on what is perhaps his best-known stage role: Thénardier in the original London production of Les Misérables. Thénardier and his wife, played by Susan Jane Tanner, are innkeepers whose shady practices are revealed in the song "Master of the House." Armstrong described Thénardier as "a gruesome and comic character."

Armstrong was one of the first to be cast, along with fellow Royal Shakespeare Company members Sue Jane Tanner and Roger Allam. He was involved in fleshing out his role, particularly in the second act song "Dog Eats Dog." He was surprised by the success of Les Misérables "because it is different to other musicals. Different because it is a sung musical throughout and also a little operatic; I didn't think it would be very popular." He left the production after a year because he became bored with the repetition and wanted to move on to other things.

He sings on Original London Cast Recording. He reprised the role, paired with Jenny Galloway as Mme. Thénardier, in Les Misérables - The Dream Cast in Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in October 1995, which was filmed and released on DVD. He also appeared in the 25th anniversary concert, though Matt Lucas performed the role of Thénardier.

Armstrong received nominations in two categories for the 1985 Olivier Award: Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Musical for Les Misérables and Actor of the Year for The Crucible and The Winter's Tale. In 1988, he was again nominated for the Olivier Award for the roles of Barabas in an RSC production of The Jew of Malta and the Captain in a National Theatre production of The Father by August Strindberg. The New York Times review of The Father said: "At its imploding center is the superb actor Alun Armstrong... 'To eat or be eaten, that is the question,' says the captain. By evening's end, Mr. Armstrong seems to have been devoured alive by his inner demons..."

During the short run of the musical The Baker's Wife at the Phoenix Theatre in 1989–90, he played the role of the baker Aimable Castagnet. The production, directed by Trevor Nunn, received positive reviews but did not attract large audiences and closed after 56 performances. He was nominated for an Olivier Award for Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical.

Armstrong won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 1994 for his performance as Sweeney Todd in the 1993 London revival of the musical at the National Theatre. The play also won for Best Musical Revival and his co-star Julia McKenzie won Best Actress in a Musical.

At the Donmar Warehouse, Armstrong appeared as Albert Einstein in Terry Johnson's Insignificance in 1995, and he played Hamm in Samuel Beckett's Endgame in 1996. He starred as Willy Loman in a 1996–97 National Theatre production of Death of a Salesman. In 1997–98, he appeared in a production of the comedy The Front Page directed by Sam Mendes at the Donmar Warehouse. The Independent review noted: "As for Alun Armstrong, we don't meet him until late in the second of three acts but he dominates the entire evening. He barks, bleats and bellows across the stage, grabbing Hildy and the show by the scruff of the neck and hurtling through to a zinger of a climax."

Armstrong took the lead role at short notice in Shelagh Stephenson's play Mappa Mundi in 2002, replacing Ian Holm, who withdrew due to illness. In 2006, he returned to the stage to star in Trevor Nunn's production of The Royal Hunt of the Sun at the National Theatre. At the Proms in 2012, he played Alfred Doolittle in a performance of My Fair Lady starring Annalene Beechey and Anthony Andrews. Armstrong stars in a 2014 production of Ionesco's black comedy Exit the King at the Theatre Royal, Bath's Ustinov Studio.

Personal life

Armstrong and his wife, Sue, have three sons: Tom, Joe (also an actor), and Dan. Father and son played older and younger versions of the same character in the 2010 BBC drama A Passionate Woman, and they played Northumberland and his son Hotspur in the 2012 BBC adaptation of Henry IV. Dan was a musician in the band Clock Opera. Armstrong appeared in the music video for their song "The Lost Buoys".

In July 2009, Armstrong was awarded two honorary degrees in recognition of his contributions to the arts. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of East Anglia and an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of Sunderland. The theatre at the Civic Hall in Stanley, County Durham, near Armstrong's hometown, was named after him in 2014.

Armstrong is a supporter of AFC Wimbledon, as is his character in New Tricks.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1971Get CarterKeith Lacey
1973The 14TommyAlso known as Existence and The Wild Little Bunch
The Sex VictimsGeorgeShort film
1976Don't Tell the LadsDramatised health and safety documentary on lead poisoning
The Likely LadsMilkman
1977A Bridge Too FarCorporal Davies
The DuellistsLacourbe
1981The French Lieutenant's WomanGrimes
1983KrullTorquil
1985Billy the Kid and the Green Baize VampireMaxwell Randall
Number OneBlackpool Sergeant
1989The ChildeaterStefanoShort film
That Summer of White RosesZembaAlso known as Djavolji raj
1990White Hunter Black HeartRalph Lockhart
1991American FriendsDr. Weeks
London Kills MeJohn Stone
1992Blue IceOsgood
My Little EyeDadShort film
Patriot GamesSergeant Jimmy Owens
Split SecondThrasher
1994Black BeautyReuben Smith
1995An Awfully Big AdventureUncle Vernon
BraveheartMornay
1997The SaintInspector Teal
1999G:MT – Greenwich Mean TimeUncle Henry
OneginZaretsky
Sleepy HollowHigh Constable
With or Without YouSammy
2000Harrison's FlowersSamuel Brubeck
Proof of LifeWyatt
2001The Mummy ReturnsBaltus Hafez
Strictly SinatraBill
2003It's All About LoveDavid
Paradise FoundPissarro
2004MillionsSaint Peter
Van Helsing: The London AssignmentCardinal Jinette
Van Helsing
2005Oliver TwistMagistrate Fang
2006EragonUncle Garrow
A Ticket Too FarDadShort film
2012The Lost BuoysTycoonMusic video
2016Golden YearsSid
2018PossumUncle Maurice
Funny CowLenny
2019CordeliaRoger
2025The ChoralMr. Trickett

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1971Advent of SteamWilliam HedleyEpisode: "The Iron Horse: Part 2"
1972Dividing FenceGeordie GilroyPart of the Full House on Tyneside live arts programme
General HospitalKen Hartley7 episodes
New Scotland YardRay DaviesEpisode: "The Wrong 'Un"
VillainsTerence 'Tel' Boldon3 episodes
1973Armchair 30GlazierEpisode: "Ross Evans' Story"
Hunter's WalkLorry DriverEpisode: "Discretion"
Six Days of JusticeP.C. WilliamsonEpisode: "The Complaint"
Softly, Softly: Task ForceDavid MillerEpisode: "A Quiet Man"
ThrillerMikeEpisode: "The Eyes Have It"
1973-1977Play for TodayMichael Biddle/First Docker/Mr. Briggs3 episodes
1974Father BrownJoeEpisode: "The Hammer of God"
JusticeBob GrahamEpisode: "It's Always a Gamble"
Sporting ScenesBernieEpisode: "The Needle Match"
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?Dougie ScaifeEpisode: "Conduct Unbecoming"
1975Days of HopeBilly ShepherdTV miniseries
Public EyeVince GregsonEpisode: "The Fatted Calf"
The SquirrelsJimEpisode: "The Favourite"
The Stars Look DownJoe GowlanTV miniseries
The SweeneyPeter JennerEpisode: "Stay Lucky Eh?"
1976Play of the MonthLightborne / Secundus DemonEpisode: Chester Mystery Plays
1976The New AvengersPrivate George HarrisEpisode: "Dirtier by the Dozen"
1977Centre PlayRichard ClewesEpisode: "Risking It"
1977-1978Play of the WeekBrodovich/Mikhalevich2 episodes
1977PorridgeSpraggonEpisode: "A Test of Character"
RomanceWeaverEpisode: "House of Men"
The SquirrelsSweeneyEpisode: "Shoulder to Shoulder"
1978Enemy at the DoorLouis MendozaEpisode: "Officers of the Law"
PremiereEpisode: "Freedom of the Dig"
Z-CarsDetective Superintendent BoleyEpisode: "Pressure"
1978–79A Sharp Intake of BreathVarious charactersSeries 1–2: 13 episodes
1979Six Plays by Alan BennettDadEpisode: All Day on the Sand
BBC Television ShakespeareProvostEpisode: Measure for Measure
1980Armchair ThrillerTrahearneEpisode: "Fear of God"
1981Get Lost!Neville Keaton4 episodes
One in a ThousandDick HayesDramatized documentary
1982The Life and Adventures of Nicholas NicklebyWackford Squeers
Mr. WagstaffStage performance filmed for television
1983Mr. Moon's Last CaseNarratorTV play
1984The Book TowerPresenterChildren's programme; 7 episodes
The HouseMr. SmethTV film
Sharing TimeLukeEpisode: "Guilt on the Gingerbread"
1985BulmanDS FiggEpisode: "Death of a Hitman"
1987Christmas Is Coming ... This Is a Government Health Warning!Informational programme with comedy sketches
1988Number 27Murray Lester
The StorytellerThe Troll (voice)Episode: "The True Bride"
This is David LanderCouncillor StennallingEpisode: "Not a Pretty Site"
1989A Night on the TyneWillyTV film
1989-1990Screen OneDetective Superintendent Frank Burroughs/Evans2 episodes
1990Screenplay FirstsDickEpisode: Looking after Number One
The WidowmakerDadTV film
1991Murder in EdenSergeant McGingTV miniseries
Stanley and the WomenRufus Hilton
1992Goodbye Cruel WorldRoy Grade
Inspector MorseSuperintendent HoldsbyEpisode: "Happy Families"
The Life and Times of Henry PrattUncle TeddyTV miniseries
Married... with ChildrenTrevorEpisode "England Show"
Shakespeare: The Animated TalesCaliban (voice)Episode: The Tempest
1993Goggle-EyesGerald FaulknerTV miniseries
1994Doggin' AroundCharlie FosterTV film
MacGyver: Trail to Doomsdayurl=https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item?q=all&p=400&item=T:35167website=The Paley Center for Mediaaccess-date=2026-01-29title=ABC Movie Special: MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday (TV)}}
1995Sorry about Last NightMickey
1996Brazen HussiesJimmy Hardcastle
Breaking the CodeMick Ross
Our Friends in the NorthAustin DonohueTV miniseries
Tales from the CryptInspector HerbertSeason 7, episode 12: "Confession"
Witness Against HitlerPastor Harald PoelchauTV film
1997UnderworldTeddy Middlemass6 episodes
1998In the RedDCI Frank JeffersonTV miniseries
Shell ShockNarrator3-part documentary
1999AristocratsHenry FoxTV miniseries
David CopperfieldDaniel PeggottyTV film
Oliver TwistMr. FlemingTV miniseries
20007Up 2000NarratorDocumentary
Challenger: Go for LaunchNarrator
This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire RipperGeorge OldfieldTV film
Nominated: Royal Television Society award
2001Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino YearsGeorge Mole6 episodes
ExtinctNarrator6-part documentary
ScoreGeorge DevonTV film
WaitersOscarPart of the ITV First Cut series
2002BedtimeNeil HenshallSeries 2: 6 episodes
InquisitionMartinTV film
SparkhouseRichard Bolton
2003Between the SheetsPeter DelanyTV miniseries
Messiah 2: Vengeance is MineDCI Charlie Macintyre
2003–2013, 2015New TricksBrian LaneSeries 1–10: 80 episodes
2004Carrie's WarSamuel EvansTV film
When I'm 64Jim
2005Bleak HouseInspector BucketTV miniseries
2006The Girls Who Came to StayBob JenkinsTV film
Also known as The Girls of Belarus
2007The Dinner PartyJimTV film
2008Filth: The Mary Whitehouse StoryErnest Whitehouse
Little DorritJeremiah and Ephraim FlintwinchTV miniseries
2009–2011Garrow's LawJohn SouthouseSeries 1–3: 11 episodes
2010A Passionate WomanDonaldTV film (Part 2)
2012The Mystery of Edwin DroodHiram GrewgiousTV film
The Hollow CrownEarl of NorthumberlandTV films/series; Henry IV, Parts I and II
2014Penny DreadfulVincent BrandTV series
Downton AbbeyStowellSeries 5 Christmas special
2016FrontierLord BentonTV series
Dark AngelGeorge Stott
2017Prime Suspect: TennisonClifford Bentley
2019Year of the RabbitChief Inspector WisbechTV Mini Series
2020–2023BreedersJim, Paul's fatherTV series
2022SherwoodGary JacksonTV Mini Series
2023Tom JonesSquire Western

Theatre

YearPlayPlaywrightRoleTheatreNotes
1971I Was Hitler's MaidChristopher WilkinsonAdolf HitlerKing's Head Theatre Club, London
The Changing RoomDavid StoreyBilly SpencerRoyal Court Theatre, London
1973DraculaBram Stoker
Stanley Eveling et al. (adaptation)RenfieldBush Theatre, London
1973A Fart for EuropeHoward Brenton
David EdgarEdgarRoyal Court Theatre Upstairs, London
1973CromwellDavid StoreyMorgan
WallaceRoyal Court Theatre, London
1975As You Like ItWilliam ShakespeareTouchstoneNottingham Playhouse
1976The Sons of LightDavid RudkinYescanabUniversity Theatre, Newcastle
1976Mother's DayDavid StoreyGordonRoyal Court Theatre, London
1978The PassionTony Harrison (adaptation)Fourth SoldierCottesloe Theatre, London
1978One for the RoadWilly RussellDennisNational tourAlternate titles:
Dennis the Menace
Happy Returns
1979–80Much Ado About NothingWilliam ShakespeareDogberrySmall-scale tour
Donmar Warehouse, LondonRoyal Shakespeare Company
1979–80The Caucasian Chalk CircleBertolt BrechtAzdakSmall-scale tour
Donmar Warehouse, LondonRoyal Shakespeare Company
1980Bastard AngelBarrie KeeffeAlunDonmar Warehouse, LondonRoyal Shakespeare Company
1980The Loud Boy's LifeHoward BarkerHarry Baker
Lionel Frontage
Norman LeathersDonmar Warehouse, LondonRoyal Shakespeare Company
1981–82The Life and Adventures of Nicholas NicklebyCharles Dickens
David Edgar (adaptation)Wackford Squeers
Mr. WagstaffAldwych Theatre, London
Plymouth Theatre, Broadway
Old Vic, London (filmed for TV)Royal Shakespeare Company
1982–83The TempestWilliam ShakespeareTrinculoRoyal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford
Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Barbican Theatre, LondonRoyal Shakespeare Company
1982–83The Taming of the ShrewWilliam ShakespearePetruchioRoyal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford
Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Barbican Theatre, LondonRoyal Shakespeare Company
1983The Roaring GirlThomas Middleton
Thomas DekkerRalph TrapdoorRoyal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford
Barbican Theatre, LondonRoyal Shakespeare Company
1983ReflectionsJasper RoothamPerformerGulbenkian Studio, NewcastleRoyal Shakespeare Company
1984Serjeant Musgrave's DanceJohn ArdenPrivate HurstOld Vic, London
1984–85The CrucibleArthur MillerJohn ProctorSmall-scale tour
Christ Church, Spitalfields
Polish tourRoyal Shakespeare Company
Nominated: Olivier Award
1984–85The Winter's TaleWilliam ShakespeareLeontesSmall-scale tour
Christ Church, Spitalfields
Polish tourRoyal Shakespeare Company
Nominated: Olivier Award
1985–86Troilus and CressidaWilliam ShakespeareThersitesRoyal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford
Barbican Theatre, LondonRoyal Shakespeare Company
1985–86Les MisérablesClaude-Michel Schönberg
Alain Boublil
Herbert KretzmerThénardierBarbican Theatre, London
Palace Theatre, LondonRoyal Shakespeare Company
Nominated: Olivier Award
1987–88FashionDoug LucieStuart ClarkeThe Other Place, Stratford
The Pit, LondonRoyal Shakespeare Company
1987–88The Jew of MaltaChristopher MarloweBarabas the JewSwan Theatre, Stratford
People's Theatre, Newcastle
Barbican Theatre, LondonRoyal Shakespeare Company
Nominated: Olivier Award
1988The FatherAugust StrindbergThe CaptainCottesloe Theatre, LondonNominated: Olivier Award
1989–90The Baker's WifeStephen Schwartz
Joseph SteinAimable CastagnetPhoenix Theatre, LondonNominated: Olivier Award
1993Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetStephen Sondheim
Hugh WheelerSweeney ToddCottesloe Theatre, LondonWon: Olivier Award
1995InsignificanceTerry JohnsonAlbert EinsteinDonmar Warehouse, London
1995Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in ConcertClaude-Michel Schönberg
Alain Boublil
Herbert KretzmerThénardierRoyal Albert Hall, London8 October 1995
Released on DVD
1996EndgameSamuel BeckettHammDonmar Warehouse, London
1996–97Death of a SalesmanArthur MillerWilly LomanLyttelton Theatre, London
1997–98The Front PageBen Hecht
Charles MacArthurWalter BurnsDonmar Warehouse, London
2002Mappa MundiShelagh StephensonJackCottesloe Theatre, London
2006The Royal Hunt of the SunPeter ShafferFrancisco PizarroOlivier Theatre, London
2009A House Not Meant to StandTennessee WilliamsCornelius McCorkleDonmar Warehouse, LondonRehearsed reading
14 September 2009
2012My Fair LadyAlan Lerner
Frederick LoeweAlfred P. DoolittleRoyal Albert Hall, LondonBBC Proms
2013Family Voices
Victoria StationHarold PinterVoice 3
ControllerTrafalgar Studios, London
2014Exit the KingEugène IonescoKing BerengerUstinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath

Radio

  • 2018 The Case of Charles Dexter Ward. BBC Radio 4.

References

References

  1. "year of birth". [[National Portrait Gallery, London.
  2. Kalina, Paul, [http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/old-hand-returns-with-new-tricks/2007/11/07/1194329300016.html "Old Hand Returns with New Tricks"], ''The Age'', 8 November 2007. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  3. Keal, Graham, [http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/whats-on-newcastle-north-east/celebrity-showbiz-news/2004/07/18/alun-s-glad-to-be-gay-79310-14438293/ "Alun's Glad to Be Gay"] {{Webarchive. link. (25 May 2011 , ''Sunday Sun'', 18 July 2004. Retrieved 2011-01-29.)
  4. (11 June 2006). "Dennis Earl". The Guardian.
  5. link. (1 October 2012 , ''TES Magazine'', 27 June 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-06.)
  6. Chibnall, Steve (2003). ''Get Carter: The British Film Guide 6'', London: I B Tauris & Co Ltd., p. 34 {{ISBN. 978-1-86064-910-3.
  7. Mitchell, Wendy, [http://www.screendaily.com/home/blog/get-armstrong/5025258.article "Get Armstrong"], ''Screen Daily'', 23 March 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-28.
  8. Cummings, Mike, [https://www.allmovie.com/artist/alun-armstrong-2270/bio "Alun Armstrong"], ''All Movie Guide''. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
  9. Maslin, Janet, [https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F02E1DA143BF93AA15754C0A965948260 "Movie Review: ''Krull'' (1983): Adventure with Magic and a Beast"], ''The New York Times'', 29 July 1983. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  10. Travers, Peter, [https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/braveheart-19950101 "''Braveheart''"] {{Webarchive. link. (7 February 2017 , ''Rolling Stone'', 1 January 1995. Retrieved 2011-02-10.)
  11. [http://cinema.theiapolis.com/movie-2RMB/the-mummy-returns/storyline.html "''The Mummy Returns''"], ''Theiapolis Cinema''. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  12. [http://www.film4.com/minisite/127-hours/reviews/2004/millions "''Millions'' Film Review"], ''Film4''. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  13. Horrod, Marion, [https://archive.today/20120717005822/http://news.planetorigo.com/article.php?poarticle_id=587&s=7ssEl9Sr6K0Gkz3J& "''Sleepy Hollow''"], ''Planet Origo'', 1 November 2009. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  14. Geary, Christopher, {{usurped
  15. Warren, Bill, [http://www.avrev.com/theatrical-movie-reviews/theatrical/eragon-2006.html "''Eragon''"] {{webarchive. link. (7 July 2011 , ''Audio Video Revolution'', 15 December 2006. Retrieved 2011-02-10.)
  16. [http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/5132 "Alun Armstrong"] {{Webarchive. link. (1 December 2007 , ''BFI Film and TV Database''. Retrieved 2011-02-12.)
  17. (2001). "Porridge The Inside Story". Headline Book Publishing.
  18. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/people/alun_armstrong_person_page.shtml "BBC Drama People Index: Alun Armstrong"], ''BBC''. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  19. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090203124148/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/21346 "''The Stars Look Down''"], ''BFI Film and TV Database''. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  20. Williams, Tony, [http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2004/cteq/days_of_hope/ "''Days of Hope''"], ''Senses of Cinema''. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
  21. [https://web.archive.org/web/20030815113821/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sitcom/atoz/s.shtml#a_sharp_intake_of_breath "Britain's Best Sitcom"], ''BBC'', January 2004. Retrieved 2001-02-12.
  22. [http://www.willyrussell.com/dayout.html "''Our Day Out''"], ''Willy Russell website''. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  23. [http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/975477/ "''The Beiderbecke Tapes''"], ''BFI Screenonline''. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  24. Sinyard, Neil, [http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/578713/ "''The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby''"], ''BFI Screenonline''. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  25. [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/olivertwist/whos_who.html "''Oliver Twist''"] {{Webarchive. link. (15 December 2016 , ''PBS''. Retrieved 2011-02-10.)
  26. Romney, Jonathan, [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/oliver-twist-pgbr-saraband-15-510029.html "''Oliver Twist''"]{{dead link. (August 2021)
  27. [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/archive/programs/davidcopperfield/ "''David Copperfield''"] {{Webarchive. link. (9 November 2016 , ''PBS''. Retrieved 2011-02-10.)
  28. [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/bleakhouse/ "''Bleak House''"] {{Webarchive. link. (29 November 2016 , ''PBS''. Retrieved 2011-02-10.)
  29. [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/littledorrit/ "''Little Dorrit''"] {{Webarchive. link. (28 September 2009 , ''PBS''. Retrieved 2011-02-10.)
  30. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/09_september/02/drood.shtml "Cast announced for The Mystery Of Edwin Drood on BBC Two"], ''BBC Press Office'', 2 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-02.
  31. [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/archive/programs/davidcopperfield/whoswho/dan.html "Dan Peggotty: Alun Armstrong"] {{Webarchive. link. (13 October 2016 , ''PBS''. Retrieved 2011-02-12.)
  32. O'Neill, Martin, [http://www.newstatesman.com/uk-politics/2007/12/dan-smith-labour-funding-party "Labour's Friends in the North"], ''New Statesman'', 3 December 2007. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  33. Sloan, Billy, [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/TV+preview%3B+Policeman+who+ended+up+Ripper%27s+14th+victim.-a060274940 "TV preview; Policeman who ended up Ripper's 14th victim"], ''Yorkshire Post'', 23 January 2000. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  34. (December 2017). "Royal Television Society Programme Awards 2000".
  35. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/bedtime/ "''Bedtime''"], ''BBC''. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  36. Grant, Frances, [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/frances-grant/news/article.cfm?a_id=87&objectid=9002293 "Sexual Healing in the 'burbs"], ''The New Zealand Herald'', 9 December 2004. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  37. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060414090434/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/carrieswar/index.html "''Carrie's War''"], ''PBS''. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  38. (2012-08-21). "New Tricks stars criticise show's writers".
  39. (2012-08-23). "New Tricks star Alun Armstrong quits after angry writer's tweet". Theweek.co.uk.
  40. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/07_july/02/when_64_armstrong.shtml "''When I'm 64''"], ''BBC Press Office'', 2 July 2004. Retrieved 2001-02-13.
  41. [http://www.memorabletv.com/interviews/alunarmstrongongirlswhocametostay.htm "Alun Armstrong on ''The Girls Who Came to Stay''"] {{webarchive. link. (23 February 2011 , ''Memorable TV'', 14 April 2006. Retrieved 2011-02-12.)
  42. Wiegand, David, [https://web.archive.org/web/20100716140633/http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-11-14/entertainment/17127787_1_sir-hugh-greene-mary-whitehouse-masterpiece-contemporary "TV Review: ''Filth'' and a Crusading Housewife"], ''San Francisco Chronicle'', 14 November 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
  43. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00w5c2w "''Garrow's Law''"], ''BBC''. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  44. BBC. "BBC - Drama - People Index Alun Armstrong".
  45. (24 November 2011). "Cast confirmed for BBC Two's cycle of Shakespeare films". BBC Drama Publicity.
  46. Grode, Eric. (25 May 2014). "'Penny Dreadful' Recap: Frankenstein's Monster Wants a Partner. Now.". New York Times Arts Beat.
  47. Hodgson, Barbara. (16 August 2014). "Home-grown TV star Alun Armstrong is to make special visit in support of a small County Durham theatre". The Journal.
  48. [http://www.lindsayanderson.com/the_changing_room.html "''The Changing Room''"] {{webarchive. link. (17 July 2011 , ''Lindsay Anderson Memorial Foundation''. Retrieved 2011-02-01.)
  49. "''As You Like It'', Nottingham Playhouse Company".
  50. [http://www.rscshakespeare.co.uk/MuchAdo.html "The RSC Shakespeare Staging History – ''Much Ado About Nothing''"] {{webarchive. link. (26 June 2015 , ''Royal Shakespeare Company''. Retrieved 2011-02-01.)
  51. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110821123401/http://calm.shakespeare.org.uk/dserve/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Works&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=%28Title=%27caucasian%20chalk%20circle%27%29 "''Caucasian Chalk Circle''"], ''Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Archive''. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  52. [http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=4134 "''The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby''"], ''Internet Broadway Database''. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  53. [http://www.rscshakespeare.co.uk/tempest.html "The RSC Shakespeare Staging History – ''The Tempest''"] ''Royal Shakespeare Company''. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  54. [http://www.rscshakespeare.co.uk/tamingOfTheShrew.html "The RSC Shakespeare Staging History – ''The Taming of the Shrew''"] {{webarchive. link. (22 August 2010 ''Royal Shakespeare Company''. Retrieved 2011-02-01.)
  55. (September 2018)
  56. [http://www.rscshakespeare.co.uk/wintersTale.html "The RSC Shakespeare Staging History – ''The Winter's Tale''"] {{Webarchive. link. (26 July 2011 ''Royal Shakespeare Company''. Retrieved 2011-02-01.)
  57. [https://archive.today/20120710014323/http://calm.shakespeare.org.uk/dserve/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Works&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=(Title=%27crucible%27) "''The Crucible''"], ''Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Archive''. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  58. [http://www.rscshakespeare.co.uk/troilusAndCressida.html "The RSC Shakespeare Staging History – ''Troilus and Cressida''"] {{webarchive. link. (2 September 2015 ''Royal Shakespeare Company''. Retrieved 2011-02-01.)
  59. Jansen, Rochelle, [http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020303/plus6.html#6LABEL2 "Making of Thenadier" (sic)], ''The Sunday Times'' (Sri Lanka), 3 March 2002. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
  60. Behr, Edward (1989). ''The Complete Book of Les Misérables'', p. 94. Arcade Publishing. {{ISBN. 1-55970-033-5.
  61. Behr, p. 86
  62. Masters, Tim, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11437196 "Bon anniversaire! 25 facts about Les Mis"], ''BBC News'', 1 October 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  63. "Olivier Winners 1985".
  64. "Olivier Winners 1988".
  65. Rich, Frank, [https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/22/theater/review-theater-jacobi-as-a-sympathetic-richard-ii-in-london.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm "Review/Theater; ''The Father''"], ''The New York Times'', 22 December 1988. Retrieved 2001-02-02.
  66. de Giere, Carol (2008). ''Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz'', p. 481. Applause Books, Milwaukee. {{ISBN. 978-1-55783-745-5.
  67. "Olivier Winners 1989–90".
  68. "Olivier Winners 1994".
  69. Rees, Jasper, [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-einsteins-theory-of-relationships-1585580.html "Theatre: Einstein's Theory of Relationships"], ''The Independent'', 9 June 1995. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  70. Taylor, Paul, [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-endgame-donmar-warehouse-1305606.html "Theatre ''Endgame'' Donmar Warehouse"], ''The Independent'', 19 April 1996. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  71. Zoglin, Richard, [https://web.archive.org/web/20121106204803/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985869-2,00.html "Theater: The Kindness of Foreigners"], ''Time'', 3 February 1997. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  72. Benedict, David, [https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/bold-the-front-page-1289186.html "Bold, ''The Front Page''"], ''The Independent'', 17 December 1997. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  73. Wolf, Matt, [https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117919346/ "''Mappa Mundi'' Review"], ''Variety'', 17 November 2002. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  74. [http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/15718/productions/the-royal-hunt-of-the-sun.html "''The Royal Hunt of the Sun''"] {{webarchive. link. (10 June 2011 , ''National Theatre''. Retrieved 2011-01-30.)
  75. [http://westend.broadwayworld.com/article/Armstrong-Fleet-et-al-Join-Cast-of-BBC-PROMS-20120628 "Armstrong, Fleet et al. Join Cast of BBC PROMS"], ''Broadway World West End'', 28 June 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  76. Snow, Georgia. (21 August 2014). "Alun Armstrong, Kenneth Cranham and Greg Hicks to star in plays at Ustinov Studio". The Stage.
  77. Hayes, Martha, "My Family Business: The ''New Tricks'' star on the advantages of sharing a role with son Joe in BBC1's ''A Passionate Woman''", ''TV Times'', 10–16 April 2010.
  78. (2012). "Ways to Forget". [[Island Records]].
  79. "The Lost Buoys".
  80. [http://www.uea.ac.uk/mac/comm/media/press/2009/may/hongrads "Honorary Degrees Announced at University of East Anglia"] {{Webarchive. link. (28 September 2012 , ''University of East Anglia'', 21 May 2009. Retrieved 2011-01-29.)
  81. [http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/faculties/apsc/university/ourpeople/graduates/hondocs/ "Honorary Doctorates"] {{webarchive. link. (24 July 2011 , ''University of Sunderland''. Retrieved 2011-01-29.)
  82. "FA Cup live" 12.35 - 14.50, 27 Nov 2010, ''ITV''.
  83. "ABC Movie Special: MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday (TV)".
  84. [http://www.kent.ac.uk/library/specialcollections/theatre/r.php/34714/show.html "''I Was Hitler's Maid''"], ''University of Kent Theatre Collections''. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  85. Guernsey, Otis, ed. (1973). ''The Best Plays of 1972–1973'', p. 113. Dodd, Mead & Co. {{ISBN. 0-396-06878-2.
  86. Johns, Eric, ed. (1973). ''Theatre Review '73'', p. 122. W.H. Allen. {{ISBN. 0-491-01231-4
  87. Guernsey, Otis, ed. (1974). ''The Best Plays of 1973–1974'', p. 107. Dodd, Mead & Co. {{ISBN. 0-396-07017-5.
  88. [https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O79879/costume-design/ "Costume Design for ''Sons of Light''"], ''Victoria & Albert Museum''. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  89. Storey, David (1984). ''Home, The Changing Room, Mother's Day'', p. 172. Penguin Books. {{ISBN. 978-0-14-048145-7.
  90. [http://theatricalia.com/play/ac2/the-passion-by-the-company-with-tony-harrison/production/n5w "''The Passion by the Company with Tony Harrison''"], ''Theatricalia''. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  91. [http://www.willyrussell.com/one4road.html "''One for the Road''"], ''Willy Russell website''. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  92. [https://archive.today/20120712032145/http://calm.shakespeare.org.uk/dserve/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Performance&dsqSearch=PerfCode=='BAS198001'&dsqCmd=Show.tcl "''Bastard Angel''"], ''Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Archive''. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  93. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110820134447/http://calm.shakespeare.org.uk/dserve/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Performance&dsqSearch=PerfCode==%27LOU198002%27&dsqCmd=Show.tcl "''The Loud Boy's Life''"], ''Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Archive''. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  94. [https://archive.today/20120721133635/http://calm.shakespeare.org.uk/dserve/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Performance&dsqSearch=PerfCode=='REC198302'&dsqCmd=Show.tcl "''Reflections''"], ''Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Archive''. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  95. ''Serjeant Musgrave's Dance'' theatre programme. The Old Vic, 1984.
  96. Gussow, Richard, [http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1987-08-16/features/8703070249_1_titus-andronicus-revenge-stratford/3 "Stratford Plunges Into Tales Of Revenge"] {{Webarchive. link. (7 July 2012 , ''New York Times News Service'', 16 August 1987. Retrieved 2011-02-02.)
  97. [https://thisstage.blogspot.com/2009/09/tennessee-williams-house-not-meant-to.html "Tennessee Williams' ''A House Not Meant to Stand''"], ''This Stage''. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about Alun Armstrong — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report