Avril Elgar Williams (1 April 1932 – 17 September 2021) was an English stage, radio and television actress.

Early life and career

Avril Elgar Williams was born on 1 April 1932 at barracks in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, England to John and Annie (née Rose) Williams. The family moved to Catterick, North Yorkshire and Royal Arsenal before Elgar's father was posted to India. They returned to Britain in 1945, where they settled in Penzance. She trained at the Old Vic Theatre School in London. At the National Theatre, she appeared in productions of Victoria Benedictsson's The Enchantment, Pam Gems' Stanley, and Julian Mitchell's Half Life. She appeared in drama and comedy roles and in many series on British television including Dixon of Dock Green, Midsomer Murders and Tales of the Unexpected. She played Ethel Pumphrey, the sister of Mildred Roper in George and Mildred. Her last stage appearance was as Maria in Andrew Hilton's revival of Uncle Vanya at the Bristol Old Vic in 2009.

Personal life

She was married to the American actor-director James Maxwell, from 1952 until his death in 1995. Together they had two sons. Maxwell directed her in a production of The Corn is Green at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre. Elgar died in Bristol on 17 September 2021, at the age of 89.

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre

Her roles in the theatre include :-