Troughton’s performance is timeless
It’s now over half a century since Troughton left the part, and over three decades since his untimely death, when he had been never more in demand for work. He featured in the very first episode of the long-running series ‘Inspector Morse’, in an episode that was transmitted just two months before his death. Such a great character actor leaves a fine legacy, and the enduring appeal of ‘Doctor Who’ ensures that his work is discovered by every new generation of fans. Yet, when watching him in ‘Doctor Who’, it’s striking how effervescent and naturalistic he is. This is especially in sharp contrast to his predecessor William Hartnell, who was more measured and mannered. They were both fine actors, but it’s Troughton’s performance that feels contemporary after the passage of fifty years. Troughton’s naturalistic, impish and playful performance truly is timeless, and in stark contrast to his more debonair roles such as ‘Robin Hood’, and the sinister performances he gave in ‘The Omen’ and various Hammer Horror films. Later, he would turn up in situation comedies, ‘The Goodies’ and episodes of children’s television series, proving his adaptability and dependability as an actor who could turn his hand more or less to anything. I’d struggle to suggest a single moment in ‘Doctor Who’ when he breaks characterisation or looks to be giving anything less than 100%. It truly is a brilliant portrayal, and it’s little wonder he’s hailed one of the greatest Doctors, and regularly cited as a favourite Doctor by many fellow professionals. It makes it the more sacrilegious that any of his work could have been destroyed.
See our review of the William Hartnell era. Join us next time as we discuss the Jon Pertwee years!
