Ellis Jones
| Ellis Jones | |
|---|---|
| File:Ellis Jones.jpgEllis_Jones.jpg | |
| Born | Peter Ellis Jones 15 November 1943 Petersfield, Hampshire, England |
| 💼 Occupation | Film director, actor |
Peter Ellis Jones (born 15 November 1943) is a British actor, film director and acting coach known for his extensive work in theatre, television, and education. In the 1970s, he was known for his acting roles before transitioning to directing and teaching. He has held notable positions in prestigious institutions and has contributed significantly to the performing arts industry. [1]
Career
Jones was born in Petersfield and spent his early years in Cardiff before moving to Hull, where he went to a co-educational grammar school, Kingston High. Keen to go on stage, he worked for a while at the New Theatre before doing a degree at Manchester University. There, he was tutored by Stephen Joseph and joined his repertory company in Scarborough, thus beginning his acting career.[2][3][4]
Jones began directing in 1978 under Stephen Barry in Harrogate with a production of Harold Pinter's play The Caretaker. By 1984, he was awarded an Arts Council Associate Director's Bursary.[5]
First appearing as an actor for Century Theatre (the precursor of the Theatre by the Lake) in Keswick in 1981, Jones returned the following year to direct Taking Steps for the company.[6] After subsequent returns as guest director during the 1980s, he was appointed artistic director in 1990 and held this position for the next three years.[7]
In 1993, Jones joined the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), becoming vice principal in 1998 and creative director of RADA Enterprises from 2003 to 2009. He contributed to the training of numerous notable actors.[1]
In 2003, he created a programme of classic plays featuring RADA graduates on board the Cunard ocean liner the Queen Mary 2.[8][9] Whilst working with the Shanghai Theatre Academy, he directed the first-ever Chinese language production of the aforementioned Taking Steps.[10]
Career in Acting and Theatre
Jones began his acting career in theatre and television during the 1970s. He appeared in popular British TV shows such as the sitcom The Squirrels and the children’s fantasy series Pardon My Genie.[11] He also appeared in the Doctor Who serial Spearhead from Space.[12]
Having worked extensively in recent years in theatre training, directing and producing, Jones recently made a cautious return to performing, as understudy to Kenneth Cranham in London's West End and on tour in Florian Zeller's award-winning play The Father, and since then has been quite busy in film and television. One such role was in the 2022 television series The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe.[13]
Educational Contributions
Jones also worked with the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, where he was part of the faculty until 2021.[14] Additionally, he collaborated with Peking University in Beijing on international academic programs.[10]
Work as a Director and Author
Jones has directed numerous theatrical productions, including Miss Wilson's Waterloo at the Finborough Theatre. His adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel The Pickwick Papers was presented at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham to celebrate their centenary on 1 October 1991.[9][15][16][17]
He is also the author of the book Acting Yourself, part of the Teach Yourself series.[18][19]
Acting summary
| Theatre | Role |
|---|---|
| An Inspector Calls | The Inspector |
| Abigail's Party | Laurence |
| A Midsummer Night's Dream | Quince |
| Toad of Toad Hall | Mole |
| Richard the Third | Clarence |
| The Country Wife | Sparkish |
| Television and film | Role | Director | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadfael: A Morbid Taste for Bones | Father Ianto | Richard Stroud | ITV |
| 1914 All Out | Dr Napley | David Green | ITV |
| Doctor Who: Spearhead from Space | Technician | Derek Martinus | BBC |
| Love Story: Wilfred and Eileen | Bennett | David Green | BBC |
| Measure for Measure | Elbow | Desmond Davis | BBC |
| The Squirrels | Burke | Shaun O'Riordan | ITV |
| King Lear | The Fool | Tony Davenall | ITV |
| Pardon My Genie | Hal | Daphne Shadwell | ITV |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ellis Jones. "Teach Yourself Acting - About Ellis Jones". Teach Yourself Acting. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
- ↑ "From 'Squirrels' to New Theatre". Hull Daily Mail. 6 May 1977. p. 22. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ↑ "Merseyside Talent". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 28 January 1983. p. 10. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ↑ "Nostalgic musicals in fashion". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 17 February 1984. p. 10. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ↑ "TV actor directs at Redgrave". Aldershot News. 11 November 1983. p. 51. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ↑ "Fun and games by Ackybourn for county stage". Cumberland and Westmorland Herald. 4 January 1992. p. 5. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ↑ ""Blue Box" director offered key post at top theatre school". Cumberland and Westmorland Herald. 31 July 1993. p. 5. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ↑ "When Shakespeare met Queen Mary". TradeWinds. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Miss Wilson's Waterloo". finboroughtheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Peking University - International Academic Credential. Accessed 2024-12-07.
- ↑ British Comedy Guide - Pardon My Genie. Accessed 2024-12-07.
- ↑ Doctor Who Guide - Ellis Jones. Accessed 2024-12-07.
- ↑ "The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe cast: Who is in the ITV drama?". www.heart.co.uk. UK: Heart. 19 April 2022.
- ↑ LinkedIn Profile - Ellis Jones. Accessed 2024-12-07.
- ↑ "Role of Mark Phillips questioned by theatre". The Daily Telegraph. 31 May 1991. p. 19. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ↑ "New Dickens". The Times. 4 September 1991. p. 13.
- ↑ "Theatre celebrates in Victorian style". Gloucestershire Echo. 1 October 1991. p. 10. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ↑ Amazon - Acting Yourself. Accessed 2024-12-07.
- ↑ Goodreads - Acting Yourself Book Review. Accessed 2024-12-07.
External links
- Ellis Jones on IMDb
- Ellis Jones at Theatricalia
- Ellis Jones at Tardis Data Core
- Ellis Jones at British Film Institute
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