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James Laurenson

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James Laurenson
Born
James Philip Laurenson

(1940-02-17)17 February 1940
Marton, North Island, New Zealand
Died18 April 2024(2024-04-18) (aged 84)
OccupationActor
Years active1960s–2020s

James Philip Laurenson (17 February 1940 – 18 April 2024) was a New Zealand stage and screen actor, based in the UK.

Early life

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Laurenson was born in Marton, North Island, New Zealand. He was a student at Canterbury University College in Christchurch (now University of Canterbury) and studied theater. There he was directed by Dame Ngaio Marsh,[1] notably in the title role in Macbeth at the Civic Theatre Christchurch in 1962.[2]

During the mid-1960s, he moved to the United Kingdom. He made his film debut in 1969 with a small part in Women in Love, based on the D. H. Lawrence novel. He also had an uncredited part (as an Oxford rower, playing alongside Graham Chapman) in The Magic Christian.

Career

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Laurenson appeared in numerous British Shakespearean productions, notably Richard II, and as Rosencrantz in Hamlet. He performed on radio in the marathon series, Vivat Rex. He also appeared as Piers Gaveston in the 1970 production of Christopher Marlowe's Edward II, opposite Ian McKellen. The latter actor later recalled that kissing Laurenson "was a bonus throughout the run".[3] Other costume roles by Laurencson included a French courtier in Elizabeth R and the Earl of Lincoln in Shadow of the Tower (1972).

That same year (1972), he took on a more modern role starring as Det. Inspector Napoleon "Boney" Bonaparte in the Australian TV drama series Boney. His character was a police detective who was half-Aboriginal. His two seasons in that role was his most high-profile part. Some Australian critics, including from within the Australian Aboriginal community criticised the casting of a white man in the role, believing that an Aboriginal actor would have been ideal.

In 1974, Laurenson took the lead role in the TV film The Prison, based on the novel by Georges Simenon. This was the first instalment in the Thames Television/Euston Films series Armchair Cinema. He also starred as Pink's Father in the 1982 film, Pink Floyd—The Wall.

Laurenson took the lead role of Julian Marsh in the 1984 West End production of Gower Champion's musical 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. This was his only role in a musical.[4] He made another notable stage appearance at Greenwich Theatre in Falling Over England with Charlotte Cornwell.

Throughout his career, Laurenson had guest roles in numerous popular TV series such as Z-Cars, Space: 1999, The Professionals, Armchair Thriller, Hammer House of Horror, Remington Steele, Cagney and Lacey, Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense, Inspector Morse, Bergerac, Boon, Lovejoy, Prime Suspect, Sharpe, A Touch of Frost, Heartbeat, Silent Witness, Taggart, Midsomer Murders, State of Play, Hustle, Endeavour and Spooks.

Laurenson had many appearances on BBC Radio, including the role of the Squire of Altarnun in the 1991 adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's Jamaica Inn.

In 2012, he played the Earl of Westmoreland in the BBC Two adaptations of Henry IV, Parts I and II. [5] In 2013 he appeared as Professor Hilary Ambrose in Season 2, Episode 5 of the BBC One's Father Brown series. In 2016, he played the role of John Weir in the Netflix series The Crown.

Personal life and death

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As of 2006 Laurenson had made his long-term home in the English market-town of Frome in Somerset.[6] He died on 18 April 2024, at the age of 84.[7][8]

Acting roles

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References

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  1. ^ Chamber, Colin (14 May 2006). Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre. AC Black. p. 179. ISBN 0-8264-4959-X.
  2. ^ McNeill, Brian (Spring 1979). "The Theatre of Ngaio Marsh". Art New Zealand. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2014. (with Photograph)
  3. ^ Ian McKellen's homepage Edward II
  4. ^ "It was 15 years ago today: 42nd Street opens in London". The Independent. 8 August 1999. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Cast confirmed for BBC Two's cycle of Shakespeare films" (Press release). BBC Drama Publicity. 24 November 2011. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  6. ^ BBC Interview with Helen Otter in June 2006
  7. ^ "James Laurenson, top-class stage actor who was also a memorable screen supporting player – obituary". The Telegraph. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  8. ^ Coveney, Michael (24 May 2024). "James Laurenson obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
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