Another RSC actor from the early days of the company has died the Scottish actor Tom Fleming. Tom was the first to play Jesus on the BBC in a series which was shown in about 1958 during the slot then known as Children’s Television. He made such an impact that over fifty years later, I can still recall his charismatic performance and rich voice.
I was therefore naturally interested when I read in an edition of the then THEATRE WORLD that he would be joining the RSC for the company’s third Stratford season in 1962.Although I did not manage to get to Stratford that year, the magazine was a way of reading the critical acclaim which greeted his performances as Duke Vincentio, the Porter, Cymbeline and Kent. The latter performance was also seen in London and Paris.
1963 was a year when I determined to get to Stratford from Cardiff, and I had the pleasure of seeing Tom Fleming as both Brutus and Prospero – performances that remain in the memory, as do those of some of his then colleagues such as Roy Dotrice, Ian Holm, Janet Suzman, Cherry Morris and David Warner (the latter three making their Stratford debuts).
Towards the end of that season, Tom Fleming also became one of the initial ensemble for The Wars of the Roses when he played Buckingham. I was not able to see that performance, but again THEATRE WORLD provided a detailed review of the production. I seem to recall something like “Tom Fleming’s wily Buckingham rides the political storms like an experienced MC at the palace “.
He did not return to the company, but continued his acting career in his native Scotland and later became especially well known as the BBC commentator for Royal/State occasions.
It is good that there is a permanent memory of all the above performances in photographs which are lavishly included in ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY 1960-1963, edited in 1964 by John Goodwin to mark the Quatercentenary of Shakespeare’s birth.
Tony Boyd-Williams
RSC Friends 
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