William Armstrong (theatre director)

William Armstrong, CBE (30 November 1882 – 5 October 1952) was a British actor, theatre manager and director, associated for many years with the Liverpool Playhouse, where as director he was an important influence on young actors in his company, including, at various times, Robert Donat, Robert Flemyng, Rex Harrison, Michael Redgrave and Diana Wynyard.

In September 1920, he was with the Everyman Theatre repertory company, and in 1922 he toured with Mrs Patrick Campbell in Hedda Gabler,[1] and appeared in the West End in the English-language premiere of Six Characters in Search of an Author.

[3] Armstrong had made a strong impression in Liverpool, and when, in 1922, the company was in financial trouble and in need of an effective young director he was invited to take the post.

His obituarist in The Times wrote: Other future stars who learned their craft at the Playhouse under Armstrong included Michael Redgrave, Rex Harrison and Robert Flemyng.

[4] He returned to London in 1948, and directed the production at the St James's Theatre of Sacha Guitry's Don't Listen, Ladies with Constance Cummings, Denholm Elliott, Francis Lister and Betty Marsden.