John Wood CBE

Thursday 22nd September 2011

John Wood, CBE

Lea House Old Boy

John Wood, who died in August aged 81, was one of the finest actors of his generation and in a career spanning more than fifty years he appeared widely on stage, screen and television.  He was born in Harpenden and was a pupil at Lea House from 1938 to 1943, going on to Bedford School and Oxford University, where he became president of the Oxford University Dramatic Society.  After military service he worked for the Old Vic Company in numerous Shakespeare productions.  His expertise brought him to the notice of Sir Peter Hall who gave him his first West End role as Don Quixote.  By the 1960s he had secured regular work on television, playing classical roles in adaptations of Dickens as well as plays by Chekhov and Stoppard.  He was outstanding in Joyces' Exiles, directed by Harold Pinter.  More Shakespearean roles followed in the 1970s as a result of joining the RSC, with his Prospero being particularly acclaimed.  His command on stage was revealed in outstanding use of timing and an ability to get to the heart of any character.  International recognition followed as a result of work at the National Theatre in London with a Broadway production of Schaffer's Amadeus in which he played Salieri. Television work continued over many years, with parts in Goodbye Mr Chips, Foyle's War, Kavanagh QC, Kenilworth and Love in a Cold Climate.  Tom Stoppard built upon his early portrayal of Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, by writing the part of A.E. Houseman in The Invention of Love with John specially in mind.  He last appeared at the National in 2005 in both parts of Henry IV and he was appointed CBE in 2007.

 John's first love was serious drama and his role as King Lear in Nicholas Hytner's acclaimed production won him the 1991 Evening Standard Best Actor award.  He had previously won the same award in 1976 for his portrayal of Henry Carr in Stoppard's Travesties. 

 Although John's school days were over before Lea House moved to Aldwickbury, he remains one of our most distinguished old boys and there is no doubt he would have approved of the ongoing drama work at the school and the contribution that several old boys are making to stage, screen and television.  Our condolences are given to his wife, Sylvia, and the family.

 

PHJ