Avril Elgar Williams (1 April 1932 – 17 September 2021) was an English stage, radio and television actress.[1]

Avril Elgar
Born
Avril Elgar Williams

(1932-04-01)1 April 1932
Died17 September 2021(2021-09-17) (aged 89)
Bristol, England
Years active1958–2011
Spouse
(m. 1952; died 1995)
Children2

Early life and career

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Avril Elgar Williams was born on 1 April 1932 at barracks in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, England to John and Annie (née Rose) Williams. The family moved to Catterick, North Yorkshire and Royal Arsenal before Elgar's father was posted to India. They returned to Britain in 1945, where they settled in Penzance. She trained at the Old Vic Theatre School in London.[2]

At the National Theatre, she appeared in productions of Victoria Benedictsson's The Enchantment, Pam Gems' Stanley, and Julian Mitchell's Half Life.[3] She appeared in drama and comedy roles and in many series on British television including Dixon of Dock Green, Midsomer Murders and Tales of the Unexpected. She played Ethel Pumphrey, the sister of Mildred Roper in George and Mildred.[4]

Her last stage appearance was as Maria in Andrew Hilton's revival of Uncle Vanya at the Bristol Old Vic in 2009.[2]

Personal life

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She was married to the American actor-director James Maxwell, from 1952 until his death in 1995. Together they had two sons. Maxwell directed her in a production of The Corn is Green at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre.[5] Elgar died in Bristol on 17 September 2021, at the age of 89.[2]

Filmography

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Film

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Television

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Theatre

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Her roles in the theatre include :- [6] [7]

References

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  1. ^ "Avril Elgar". BFI. Archived from the original on 25 July 2012.
  2. ^ a b c Coveney, Michael (29 September 2021). "Avril Elgar obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  3. ^ [1] [dead link]
  4. ^ "George & Mildred". Comedy.co.uk.
  5. ^ Benedick, Adam (27 August 1995). "Obituary:Avril Elgar". The Independent. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  6. ^ Murray, Braham (2007). The Worst It Can Be Is a Disaster. London: Methuen Drama. ISBN 978-0-7136-8490-2.
  7. ^ The Royal Exchange Theatre Company Words & Pictures 1976-1998, 1998, ISBN 0-9512017-1-9
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