William Russell was an actor of appreciable vary, as introduced out within the wonderful obituary by Michael Coveney.
As a younger director it was my superb fortune to direct Invoice in two contrasting main roles in Shakespeare at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London. First, in 1968, got here Grasp Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor, wherein he managed to be, in his jealous rages, each wildly humorous and curiously pathetic.
Within the following season he was inevitably my first alternative as Shylock – chilling and impassioned by flip. His enthusiasm, intelligence and power made him a continuing pleasure to work with. I got here to understand him as an actor in full command of his craft, and solely want I had labored with him extra typically.
