Desmond Barrit, Acclaimed Character Actor and RSC Falstaff, Passes Away at 81
The celebrated character actor Desmond Barrit, renowned for his energetic comic brilliance and iconic portrayals of Shakespeare's Falstaff, has died at the age of 81. Barrit's distinguished career included significant roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, and in London's West End, leaving an indelible mark on the British stage.
A Storied Career in Theatre
Desmond Barrit was best known for playing both of Shakespeare's Falstaff characters in Henry IV and The Merry Wives of Windsor for the Royal Shakespeare Company. His association with the RSC began in 1988, and he quickly became a staple, delivering performances that blended humour, camp, and technical prowess. In 2000, he starred as Sir John Falstaff in the RSC's Henry IV Part II, alongside Benjamin Whitrow and Peter Copley, a role that showcased his dynamic range.
At the National Theatre, Barrit took on leading roles in two Alan Bennett plays: The History Boys, where he played an inspirational teacher following Richard Griffiths, and The Habit of Art, portraying W.H. Auden. He also appeared in David Hare's Stuff Happens (2004) as US Vice-President Dick Cheney, a quiet, measured performance that highlighted his versatility. His stage work extended to musical theatre, with three stints as the Wizard in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria theatre in London.
Early Life and Breakthrough
Born Desmond Brown in Morriston, Swansea, Barrit was the only child of a coalminer, Islywn Brown, and his wife Gwyneth. After his mother's death during his teenage years, his father remarried, and the family moved to north Cornelly near Bridgend. Educated at Garw grammar school, Barrit played Hamlet at age 14 for the school's 50th anniversary, hinting at his future in acting.
He moved to London at 18, working in accountancy while participating in amateur theatre. In the mid-1970s, a bet led him to answer an advert in The Stage, landing a job in a puppet show and earning an Equity card. He changed his name to Desmond Barrit as Desmond Brown was already taken. His big break came in 1985 when director Nicholas Hytner cast him in a Chichester production of The Scarlet Pimpernel, kickstarting his professional career.
Notable Performances and Accolades
Barrit's RSC roles included a rambunctious Trinculo in The Tempest (1988) and an ingratiating Porter in Macbeth (1988). In 1990, he played both Antipholuses in Ian Judge's surreal Comedy of Errors, earning an Olivier Award for best comedy performance. His 1994 portrayal of Malvolio in Twelfth Night was described as "like a large, lubricious bumblebee," and his Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream showcased his comic energy.
He also excelled at the National Theatre, with roles in The Recruiting Officer (1992) and The Mountain Giants (1993). Under Hytner's artistic direction, he starred in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (2004) and toured with The History Boys on Broadway and in the West End. His television work included Humpty Dumpty in Alice Through the Looking Glass (1998) and the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol (1999).
Personal Life and Legacy
Barrit met his lifetime partner, Byron Johnson, in 1982, and they entered into a civil partnership in 2015. He faced health challenges later in life, including diabetes and macular degeneration, but remained cheerful and generous. He is survived by Byron and his stepbrother, Michael.
Desmond Barrit's legacy as a character actor of immense talent and warmth endures, remembered for his contributions to theatre and his unforgettable performances that brought joy to audiences worldwide.
