Denis Quilley

Energetic actor wedded to the company ideal

Your excellent obituary of Denis Quilley [by Alan Strachan, 7 October] mentioned many roles I knew nothing about in his varied career, writes Dan Smith, but omitted two wonderful performances when he doubled as Polonius and the gravedigger in John Caird's wonderful Hamlet at the National Theatre in 2001. As Polonius he superbly managed the subtle game of getting laughs at the expense of the pompous courtier whilst hinting he might also be a political operator capable of steely ruthlessness. As the gravedigger his comic timing was impeccable and his ensemble playing with Simon Russell Beale as Hamlet a delight.

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