Donald Pelmear | |
|---|---|
| Born | Donald Stanley Morrell Pelmear (1924-07-06)6 July 1924 Middlesbrough,North Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 11 January 2025(2025-01-11) (aged 100) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1953–2007 • 2016–2018 |
Donald Pelmear (6 July 1924 – 11 January 2025) was a British actor on stage and screen. Among his notable performances wereSir Thomas More inA Man for All Seasons in 1961, inFarnham,Salisbury andSouthport,[1][2] andMalvolio in the 1964 production ofTwelfth Night which inaugurated theNuffield Theatre, Southampton.[3] On screen, he may be best known for portraying Professor Joseph Rubeish in the 1973–74Doctor Who serialThe Time Warrior.
Pelmear began acting in amateur theatre and then, from 1953, acted inrepertory theatre. He did not attend drama school, but learned from watching and listening to other actors.[4] He appeared with theatre companies across England, including theBristol Old Vic Theatre Company,[4][5] theOxford Playhouse Company,[6][7] and theNew Shakespeare Company,[8] and was known for his versatility and flexibility as an actor.[9][4]
Pelmear enjoyed playing comedy,[4] and critics applauded his comic roles in plays such asThe White Sheep of the Family,[10]Separate Rooms[11] andKafka's Dick,[12] musical comedies such asThe Fantasticks[13] andSalad Days.[9] He played various roles in pantomimes, including Aladdin inThe Adventures of Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp[14] and Mole inToad of Toad Hall.[7]
In theWest End, Pelmear played Doc in the 1984/85 revival ofWest Side Story atHer Majesty's Theatre,[15] and Monsieur Damiens in the 1990/91 production ofAnouilh'sThe Rehearsal at theAlmeida Theatre andGarrick Theatre.[16][17]
He also played many serious roles, including Aslaksen inIbsen'sAn Enemy of the People[6][18] andLawrence of Arabia inTerence Rattigan's playRoss, a review of which stated "Donald Pelmear is an actor of subtlety and power, who draws a consistent portrait and resists every temptation to overdraw it".[19] His portrayal ofSir Thomas More inA Man for All Seasons was described as "a very sensitive portrayal"[20] and a "warming, human performance of a beautifully realized character",[2] in which "[e]very mood of this great man is faithfully depicted - his gentleness, lowliness, gravity, wit, affability, piety and heroism."[1] Pelmear also appeared in the first play performed at the newNuffield Theatre, Southampton, playingMalvolio in the Salisbury Arts Theatre Company's production ofTwelfth Night; a critic wrote that "Donald Pelmear is an excellent Malvolio who finally leaves his audience torn between pity and aversion."[3]
In December 2005, Pelmear entered a Civil Partnership with his partner, the actorMax Harvey. Sadly, this would not last long, as Harvey would pass away three months later.[21]
Pelmear died on 11 January 2025, at the age of 100.[22]
| Year | Title | Author | Theatre | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Will Any Gentleman? | Vernon Sylvaine | Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells | Dr. Smith | Loraine Theatre Company[23] |
| Relative Values | Noël Coward | Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells | Loraine Theatre Company[24] | ||
| The White Sheep of the Family | Lawrence du Garde Peach andIan Hay | Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells | Vicar | Loraine Theatre Company[10] | |
| The Deep Blue Sea | Terence Rattigan | New Pavilion,Redcar | Mr. Miller, ex-doctor | North Riding Theatre Company[25] | |
| 1956 | The Duke in Darkness | Patrick Hamilton | Southport | The Duke of Latteraine | Southport Repertory Company[26][27] |
| We at the Crossroads | Keith Winter | Southport | Author | Southport Repertory Company[28] | |
| 1957 | Burdalane | Winifred Bannister | Scala, Southport | Hew Kennedy | Southport Repertory Company[29][30] |
| Separate Tables | Terence Rattigan | Scala, Southport | Major Pollock | Southport Repertory Company[31] | |
| My Three Angels | Bella and Samuel Spewack | Scala, Southport | Southport Repertory Company[31] | ||
| 1958 | The Adventures of Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp | Donald Bodley | Scala, Southport | Aladdin | Southport Repertory Company[14] |
| Family on Trial | John Wiles | Scala, Southport | Schoolmaster | Southport Repertory Company[32] | |
| Ring for Catty | Patrick Cargill and Jack Beale | Scala, Southport | Len White | Southport Repertory Company[33] | |
| Cuckoo in Clover | Kate Lindsay | Scala, Southport | Richard Cavendish | Southport Repertory Company[34] | |
| 1960 | The Father | August Strindberg | Castle Theatre,Farnham | Dr. Ostermark | Castle Theatre Repertory Company[35] |
| 1961 | The Birthday Party | Harold Pinter | Castle Theatre, Farnham | McCann | Castle Theatre Repertory Company[36] |
| A Man for All Seasons | Robert Bolt | Castle Theatre, Farnham | Sir Thomas More | Castle Theatre Repertory Company[1][20] | |
| A Man for All Seasons | Robert Bolt | Kings Theatre, Southsea | Sir Thomas More | Salisbury Arts Theatre[2][37] | |
| 1962 | Salad Days | Julian Slade,Dorothy Reynolds | Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury | Ambrose and Police Inspector | Marlowe Theatre Company[9] |
| The Unexpected Guest | Agatha Christie | Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury | Michael Starkwedder | Marlowe Theatre Company[38] | |
| Separate Rooms | Alan Dinehart and Joseph Carole | Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury | Jim Stackhouse | Marlowe Theatre Company[11] | |
| 1963 | Ross | Terence Rattigan | Guildford Theatre, Guildford | Lawrence of Arabia | Guildford Theatre Company[19] |
| 1964 | Twelfth Night | William Shakespeare | Nuffield Theatre, Southampton | Malvolio | Salisbury Arts Theatre Company[3] |
| 1965 | You Never Can Tell | George Bernard Shaw | Phoenix Theatre, Leicester | Walter, the waiter | Phoenix Theatre Company[39][40] |
| See How They Run (play) | Philip King | Phoenix Theatre, Leicester | Vicar, Rev. Lionel Toop | Phoenix Theatre Company[41] | |
| The Fantasticks | Harvey Schmidt,Tom Jones | Phoenix Theatre, Leicester | Father | Phoenix Theatre Company[13] | |
| 1967 | Next Time I'll Sing To You | James Saunders | Swan Theatre, Worcester | The Hermit | Worcester Repertory Company[42] |
| 1968 | Juno and the Paycock | Seán O'Casey | Little Theatre, Bristol | Joxer Daly | Bristol Old Vic Theatre Company[4] |
| Loot | Joe Orton | Little Theatre, Bristol | Inspector Truscott | Bristol Old Vic Theatre Company[5][4] | |
| A Day in the Death of Joe Egg | Peter Nichols | Little Theatre, Bristol | Freddie | Bristol Old Vic Theatre Company[43] | |
| 1969 | An Enemy of the People | Henrik Ibsen | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford | Aslaksen | Oxford Playhouse Company[6][18] |
| 1970 | Toad of Toad Hall | A. A. Milne,Kenneth Grahame | Oxford Playhouse | Mole | Oxford Playhouse Company[7] |
| Cat on a Hot Tin Roof | Tennessee Williams | Phoenix Theatre, Leicester | Doctor Baugh | Phoenix Theatre Company[44] | |
| In Celebration | David Storey | Phoenix Theatre, Leicester | Mr Shaw | Phoenix Theatre Company[45][40] | |
| Narrow Road to the Deep North | Edward Bond | York Theatre Royal | Basho | York Theatre Royal Company[46] | |
| 1972 | The Tempest | William Shakespeare | Hull New Theatre | New Shakespeare Company[8] | |
| Twelfth Night | William Shakespeare | York Theatre Royal | New Shakespeare Company[47] | ||
| 1980 | The Caretaker | Harold Pinter | The Capitol Theatre, Horsham | Davies the tramp | New Shakespeare Company[48] |
| 1981 | Much Ado About Nothing | William Shakespeare | Theatre Royal, Lincoln | Leonato, governor of Messina | New Shakespeare Company[49] |
| 1984–1985 | West Side Story | Leonard Bernstein,Stephen Sondheim | Her Majesty's Theatre, London | Doc | [15] |
| 1986 | Tristram Shandy | Laurence Sterne, adapted by Peter Buckman | Oxford Playhouse | Uncle Toby | Oxford Playhouse Company[50] |
| 1989 | Habeas Corpus | Alan Bennett | Thorndike Theatre, Leatherhead | Dr Arthur Wicksteed | [51] |
| 1990 | Pack of Lies | Hugh Whitemore | Belgrade Theatre, Coventry | MI5 Officer | [52][53] |
| 1990–1991 | The Rehearsal | Jean Anouilh | Almeida Theatre, London, thenGarrick Theatre, London | Monsieur Damiens | Theatre Division[16][17] |
| 1998 | Kafka's Dick | Alan Bennett | Nottingham Playhouse | Father | [12] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Little Dorit | Mr. Clive | |
| 1998 | Elizabeth | Third bishop | |
| 2017 | Edie | George | [54] |
| 2018 | The Curse of Shalott | Malcolm | Short film |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | ITV Play of the Week | Mr. Green | Episode: "A Man Involved" |
| 1960 | BBC Sunday-Night Play | Unknown | |
| The World of Tim Frazer | Projectionist | 1 episode | |
| 1961 | Gamble for a Throne | Richard Whiteacre | Miniseries - 5 of 6 episodes[55] |
| 1966 | Ransom for a Pretty Girl | Willis | Miniseries - 3 of 6 episodes[56] |
| 1967 | Coronation Street | Mr. Fitch | Episode: "Episode: #1.684" |
| 1969 | Special Branch | William Arthur Cowley | Season 1, Episodes 1 + 2[40] |
| 1970 | UFO | Estate agent | Episode: "The Square Triangle" |
| 1973–74 | Doctor Who | Professor Joseph Rubeish | Serial:The Time Warrior[57][58] |
| 1976 | The Duchess of Duke Street | Major Gutch | Episode: "Plain Sailing" |
| 1981 | The Day of the Triffids | University Gateman | Episode: "Part Three" |
| 1982 | Yes Minister | Permanent Secretary, DHSS | Episode: "Equal Opportunities" |
| 1983 | The Citadel | Dr. Thoroughgood | Episode: "Part 10" |
| 1990 | Agatha Christie's Poirot | Judge | Episode: "The Mysterious Affair at Styles" |
| 1991 | Paul Merton: The Series | Judge | Episode: "Episode #1.2" |
| 1992 | London's Burning | Curator | 1 episode |
| 1993 | In Suspicious Circumstances | Henry Dobson | Episodes: "Shadow of Doubt" and "The Death of Lucy Kyte" |
| 1998 | McCallum | Mr. Weston | Episode: "City of the Dead" |
| 2000 | The 10th Kingdom | Court clerk | Miniseries |
| Lock, Stock... | Captain | Episode: "...And Two Sips" | |
| 2001 | The Way We Live Now | Doctor | Miniseries |
| 2003 | Strange | Mr. Parrish | Episode: "Asmoth" |
| My Hero | Patient | Episode: "The Mayor of Northolt" | |
| 2004 | Little Britain | Waiter | Episode: "Episode #2.1" |
| 2006 | Hotel Babylon | Mr. Farrah | 1 episode |
The role of Thomas More is a gift to any actor and Donald Pelmear revels in it. Every mood of this great man is faithfully depicted - his gentleness, lowliness, gravity, wit, affability, piety and heroism.
Donald Pelmear plays Sir Thomas More, gentle, witty, kindly, a lover of good wine, a good husband and tender father to his beloved daughter, a man of the law and of God, a faithful son of the old Church, a layman of deeper piety than the worldly clerics. Mr. Pelmear's performance is most moving. We first see him in his family circle, wise, often smiling and jesting, indulgently admiring the dresses of his wife and daughter. We see him confronting Wolsey, polite, urbane, but never shedding his principles, we see him as a loyal subject of his King, knowing how to flatter gently, but still unyielding where principle is concerned. He will not accept divorce, and that is it. Most moving of all, we see him in jail, physically broken and prematurely aged, but still spiritually integrated, taking leave of his loved ones, pathetically praising bis wife's custard that she has brought him, in the midst of heartbreak. We see him confronting his accusers, unruffled mostly, though human enough to have the sudden outburst, and holding fast to his deep religious convictions. A warming, human performance of a beautifully realized character.
Donald Pelmear is an excellent Malvolio who finally leaves his audience torn between pity and aversion,
There is excellent work too, byLeonard Sachs as the mayor, byTony Anholt ... as the editor, by Donald Pelmear, as the personification of all ratepayers, and byGeorgine Anderson andCelia Bannerman as the wife and daughter. It is an outstanding production of a play all too rarely staged.
As Toad,Bill Wallis is in effectively rumbustious form ... The Badger ofDavid Nettheim is ... a brilliant comic characterization. Donald Pelmear's Mole, kindly, ultra-sensitive and infinitely likeable ... [is] also very well-drawn and never merely clowned.
Donald Pelmear likewise demonstrated his versatility, his greatest success being as Ambrose, the frustrated dress-designer. As the Poiice Inspector, he was associated with Peter Street (P.C. Boot) in the hilarious dance scene.
But probably the hit of the show is Donald Pelmear as a dithering vicar. If police college superintendents object to comic coppers, this is the kind of stage parson that would make a Bishop squirm. It made Tuesday's full house rock with laughter.
Donald Pelmear was irrepressible as ever in his lively performance as Jim Stackhouse, the columnist with the quick comebacks.
Geriatric dad (Donald Pelmear) [ ] is given the play's funniest one-liners.
Most Rewarding. The two fathers, in the light clown category, were a joy to see. Richard Curnock and Donald Pelmear make their wall seem a really bright idea, and don't lose the humour when the idea goes sour.
In pantomime, we like a hero who is strong, handsome and endearing. and Donald Pelmear is all these things and more, as Aladdin.
It is the lesser roles of this virile production which make this Guildford presentation a theatrical event, particularly those of ... Donald Pelmear as the local printer and leader of the residents' association, who is humble and asks for restraint in all things.
The burden of the play rests on the central character. Donald Pelmear is an actor of subtlety and power, who draws a consistent portrait and resists every temptation to overdraw it. Perhaps he might on Monday have stressed a little more, in fact, the contrast between the self-confldent conqueror of Akaba and the wrecked personality at Jerusalem. To have robbed the character of basic sincerity - to have suggested that he was revelling in self-humiliation - would, however, have been fatal, and Mr Pelmear's restraint was highly effective.
Donald Pelmear, as More, rises to great heights with a very sensitive portrayal. He grasps the essential qualities of the character right from the first, is word perfect, and builds up an authentic picture, which in the end makes a great impact when More, now a tortured soul, faces his accusers for the last time.
An excellent characterisation of Dr. Miller was given by Donald Pelmear
The performances of Donald Bodley and Donald Pelmear were a triumph. ... Mr. Pelmear never fails to give his best, and his restrained, dignified Duke was no exception. He is an actor with a future.
Donald Pelmear and Stanley Lloyd had complete control of their scenes and gave memorable performances that showed considerable depth of feeling, as the idealistic, self-pitying author and the confused husband, respectively.
An actor of unquestionable talent, Donald Pelmear, gives a sensitive portrayal as Hew Kennedy, the poacher.
Donald Pelmear [was] impressive in Separate Tables," ... for his complete interpretation of the questionable Major Pollock. In "My Three Angels" Stanley Lloyd, Peter Schofield and Donald Pelmear were artful, appealing, attentive and altogether lovable.
Once again Donald Pelmear lived up to his reputation for acting that is nothing less than real, as the schoolmaster who has to face the suspicions of parents and children alike.
[This] was one of the company's best productions. ... another performance of deep sincerity came from Donald Pelmear, as Len White.
The plot concerns an appealing young wife ... of a golf-crazy sportsman ... Donald Pelmear brings out plenty of comedy with his semi-dry approach to the part of the husband.
Immediately the curtain rose it had the audience within its grip and held it until the last word was spoken. ... Every artist fitted the character like the proverbial glove. ... The Dr. Ostermark of Donald Pelmear was realistic.
Donald Pelmear gives a masterly performance as Sir Thomas More, emphasizing his great capacity for tolerance, and his deep personal conviction which lasts from the days before he was made Lord Chancellor, until his execution.
Donald Pelmear had one of the meatier parts in the important role of Starkwedder, the "unexpected guest." and he exploited it to the full. Much of the humour in the play was in his lines and he didn't miss a trick.
Timing Vital. Mr Pelmear's elderly waiter was the most difficult of all. It is he who carries the message "You Never Can Tell." He serves at table, is friendly and tactful, without being familiar, and is only outraged when there is an attempt to remove him from his menial station
The vicar whose identity becomes confused in the course of the play was played with well-studied patience and dignity by Donald Pelmear who went to pieces admirably as things got on the move
Donald Pelmear is a wonderfully misunderstood and frustrated "actor hermit".
Donald Pelmear as Mr Stewart has the patrician style of the Whitehall mandarin. He is overwhelming in this small, tidy home, and diminishes the Jackson's [sic] by his confident presence, making an unspoken point about the English class system.