The theatrical world mourns the loss of Andrew Jarvis, a dedicated Shakespearean actor and drama teacher who passed away at the age of seventy-eight. Jarvis was a stalwart of classical theatre, with a career spanning decades and marked by a profound commitment to the works of William Shakespeare.
A Life Dedicated to Shakespeare
Andrew Jarvis, affectionately known as Andy, was an actor whose passion for the stage was evident throughout his life. Although he never achieved mainstream stardom, he became a respected figure within the theatrical community, particularly renowned for his focus on Shakespeare's text combined with a willingness to embrace innovative staging techniques.
Early Career and Rep Theatre
Born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Jarvis was the son of a secretary and a headmaster. He attended Chesterfield Grammar School before training as a teacher at the College of St Mark and St John in Chelsea, London. After a brief stint teaching English, he pursued his theatrical ambitions by writing to repertory theatres across the country.
In 1969, he was taken on by the Phoenix Theatre in Leicester, initially as an assistant stage manager and later as an actor. Jarvis firmly believed that repertory theatre provided the finest training an actor could receive, a principle that guided his approach throughout his career.
Tenure with Major Shakespeare Companies
Jarvis joined the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company in 1980. His notable performances during this period included appearing in a production of Henry V alongside Kenneth Branagh, who played the title role, in 1984.
A Radical Shift to the English Shakespeare Company
In 1986, demonstrating his radical leanings, Jarvis left the RSC to join the newly formed English Shakespeare Company. This company, assembled by Michael Bogdanov at the Old Vic theatre, was dedicated to reinterpreting Shakespeare's works with a Marxist focus on their political context.
Jarvis flourished in this environment. He delivered acclaimed performances in the Wars of the Roses cycle, notably playing Hotspur in Henry IV Part 1 (1986-87). His portrayal of the title role in Richard III (1987-89) earned him the Manchester Evening News award for best actor. He also took on the role of Claudius in Yuri Lyubimov's innovative production of Hamlet at the Old Vic in 1990.
Transition to Teaching and Later Stage Work
Following his time with the major Shakespeare companies, Jarvis transitioned into drama education. He taught at Mountview Theatre School in Crouch End, north London, where he served as head of postgraduate performance courses from 1997 to 2008. He was highly skilled at imparting theatrical technique to younger actors, drawing on his extensive practical experience.
His love for the stage meant he rarely sought film or television roles, though he did appear in episodes of EastEnders and New Tricks. His distinctive long white beard led to his casting as Merlin in the film Dragons of Camelot in 2014.
Notable Later Stage Performances
Jarvis continued to grace the stage in significant productions. He played Elrond and later Gandalf in the musical adaptation of The Lord of the Rings at Drury Lane (2007-08) and spent a year portraying Arthur Kipps in The Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre (2008-09).
He also collaborated with renowned director Trevor Nunn, performing as Polonius in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and as Gonzalo opposite Ralph Fiennes's Prospero in The Tempest. Both productions were staged at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, in 2011.
Personal Life and Legacy
Andrew Jarvis met the literary critic Gillian Piggott in 1991. The couple lived together in south London before moving to a rectory outside King's Lynn, Norfolk. In this setting, Jarvis founded the King's Lynn Shakespeare Festival. A testament to his standing in the theatre community, he successfully persuaded Sir Ian McKellen to perform his one-man show to raise funds for the development of St George's Guildhall.
Jarvis and Piggott married in 2017. She survives him, along with the legacy of a life devoted to the craft and teaching of dramatic arts. His dedication to Shakespearean performance and innovative theatre leaves a lasting mark on the British stage.
