James Maxwell | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Maxwell in a 1965 episode ofThe Saint | |
| Born | James Ackley Maxwell (1929-03-23)23 March 1929 Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | 18 August 1995(1995-08-18) (aged 66) London, England |
| Years active | 1949–1992 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
James Maxwell (23 March 1929 – 18 August 1995) was an American-British actor, theatre director and writer, particularly associated with theRoyal Exchange Theatre inManchester.[1][2]
Maxwell was born inWorcester,Massachusetts, United States, but spent most of his career in the United Kingdom and died in London. He came to Britain at the age of 20 to train at theOld Vic Theatre School. While there he met fellow studentsCasper Wrede andRichard Negri (co-founders of the Royal Exchange 25 years later).
After seasons at theBristol Old Vic and the Piccolo Theatre in Manchester, Maxwell started to collaborate with the directorsMichael Elliott and Casper Wrede, initially with the 59 Theatre Company. He translatedGeorg Büchner'sDanton's Death (original title:Dantons Tod) for the opening production at theLyric Theatre,Hammersmith. Elliott and Wrede went on to run theOld Vic company and Maxwell joined them to act in several of the productions includingThe Merchant of Venice andMeasure for Measure.
The group then joined withBraham Murray in Manchester to form the 69 Theatre Company. Maxwell adaptedDaniel Deronda; directed by Elliott and starringVanessa Redgrave it was subsequently televised. He acted in many productions for the company includingProspero inThe Tempest in 1969 andThomas More inA Man for All Seasons in 1975. He also directedArms and the Man withTom Courtenay,Jenny Agutter andBrian Cox in 1973.
Based upon the success of this collaboration the group started to look for a permanent theatre inManchester and eventually a new theatre was built inside the disusedRoyal Exchange with Maxwell as one of the founding artistic directors. He appeared in both the opening productions: Kleist'sThe Prince of Homburg (original title:Der Prinz von Homburg) and Sheridan'sThe Rivals and remained an artistic director until his death in 1995. As well as acting in many productions over the course of 20 years, he adapted several novels includingThe Count of Monte Cristo,Pride and Prejudice andThe Moonstone. He also directed over 20 productions. As Braham Murray recalled. "As an artist he was multi-talented and practised each of his skills with discretion. As a writer, he translated many works; as a director he was particularly skillful at comedy. He loved to make people laugh, but it was as an actor that he would want to be remembered."[3][4]
The productions directed by Maxwell during his time as artistic director include:[3]
Although the theatre was always Maxwell's first love, he appeared in television and film. His best-known television role was as KingHenry VII in aBBC2 drama series,The Shadow of the Tower, but it did not have the same level of success asThe Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970), which was its predecessor drama. His other television credits include a prominent role in theDoctor Who storyUnderworld (1978). He appeared inThe Avengers in the 1967 episode "The Superlative Seven" as Jason Wade, and also appeared as Osmond in a television serial ofHenry James'The Portrait of a Lady (1968),Frontier (1968),Doomwatch: The Iron Doctor (1971),Thriller andThe Saint. He played General-Major von Wittke in an episode ofEnemy at the Door titled "Treason" (ep. 10, season 1, aired March 25, 1978).
He was also seen in the filmsPrivate Potter (1962),The Evil of Frankenstein (1964),Otley (1968) andOne Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (1970). The first and last of these directed by his friend and colleagueCasper Wrede.
Maxwell married the actressAvril Elgar in 1952 and the couple had two sons. They met at the Old Vic theatre school and she appeared in many of Maxwell's productions. He died in 1995.
Maxwell was referenced in the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester episode ofMost Haunted (S8,07) when psychic medium David Wells allegedly received a message from Maxwell's spirit. His career was touched upon as a founding member of the theatre.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |