John Normington

Infobox actor
name = John Normington
bgcolour = silver


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birthdate = birth date|1937|01|28|df=y
location = Dukinfield, Cheshire, England
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deathdate = dda|2007|07|26|1937|01|28|df=y
deathplace = Kensington, London, England
birthname =
othername =
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John Normington (28 January 1937 – 26 July 2007) was an English actor who appeared widely on British television from the 1960s until the year of his death. Normington was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company performing in more than 20 RSC productions. He performed widely in the West End and at the National Theatre.cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article2302778.ece|title=Obituary - John Normington|first=|last=|publisher=The Times|date=22 August 2007]

Early life

John Normington was born in Dukinfield, Cheshire in 1937 and trained as an opera singer at the Northern School of Music. Following this, he did his National Service and while stationed in Aldershot joined Farnham rep. Normington joined the Repertory Theatre in Oldham in 1950 and from 1959 to 1962 he worked at the Library Theatre in Manchester. After a short spell at The Oxford Playhouse, John Normington joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963 and played many Shakespearean roles. He continued on stage for the rest of his life, with many memorable roles.

Acting career

In 1963, he made his first appearance on television and appeared regularly on the small screen until 2007, the year he died. In the 1960s and 1970s, he appeared in programmes such as "The Caesars", "Softly, Softly", "Nearest and Dearest", "The Edwardians", "Crown Court", "Upstairs, Downstairs" (in the episode "Such A Lovely Man") and "ITV Playhouse". Normington also appeared in the 1978 film "The Thirty Nine Steps".

During the 1980s, he appeared in "Play for Today", "Yes, Prime Minister" (in the episode "One of Us"), "Inspector Morse", "My Family and Other Animals" and "Agatha Christie's Poirot". Normington played Morgus in the 1984 "Doctor Who" serial "The Caves of Androzani" and Trevor Sigma in the 1988 serial "The Happiness Patrol". The following decade, Normington played roles in programmes such as "The New Statesman", "Peak Practice", "Hetty Wainthropp Investigates", "Coronation Street", "The Bill" and "David Copperfield". In 2001 John Normington appeared in "Love in a Cold Climate".

Later life

In 2004, Normington appeared in "King Lear" in Stratford. Before the production moved to the West End he had to withdraw after developing pancreatic cancer. He recovered to an extent that he took on further roles on stage and screen. On stage he appeared in "The Voysey Inheritance" in 2006 and "The Entertainer" from March to April 2007, before he pulled out due to ill health. [cite web|last|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=David Baron Steps in for Ailing John Normington in "The Entertainer"|work=|publisher=Theatre.com|date=13 April 2007|url=http://www.theatre.com/story/id/3006980|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-29] On screen, he appeared in the 2004 "Midsomer Murders" episode "Bad Tidings", the "Torchwood" episode "Ghost Machine", "Trial & Retribution XIV" and "Casualty" in 2007, his final TV appearance.cite news|url=http://www.lastingtribute.co.uk/famousperson/normington/2613751|title=Tribute to John Normington|first=|last=|publisher=Lastingtribute.com|date=2007] John Normington died, of his cancer, on 26 July 2007 in the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London aged 70.cite web|last=Paddock|first=Terri|authorlink=|coauthors=|title="Entertainer" Actor John Normington Dies, Aged 70|publisher=Whatsonstage.com|date=30 July 2007|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821185792585|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-30] He was survived by his partner John Anderson.

References

External links

*imdb name|id=0635712|name=John Normington
* [http://www.dswebhosting.info/Shakespeare/dserve.exe?&dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Site11&dsqDb=Roles&dsqCmd=xdetail.tcl&dsqSearch=((Name='normington,')AND(Name='john')) List of Royal Shakespeare Company performances]