Armstrong, Alun

Alan Armstrong (born 17 July 1946), known professionally as Alun Armstrong, is an English character actor. He grew up in County Durham, in North East England, and became interested in acting through Shakespeare productions at his grammar school. Since his career began in the early 1970s he has played, in his words, "the full spectrum of characters from the grotesque to musicals... I always play very colourful characters, often a bit crazy, despotic, psychotic." His credits include several Charles Dickens adaptations and the eccentric ex-detective Brian Lane in New Tricks. He is also an accomplished stage actor and spent nine years with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He originated the role of Monsieur Thénardier in the West End production of Les Misérables and won an Olivier Award in the title role of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.