Welsh actor currently playing Churchill on TV admits: ‘I may be Churchill, but I’m no Richard Burton!’

The Welsh actor currently playing Winston Churchill in the 6-part television drama-documentary series ‘‘U-Boat Wargamers’’ being broadcast on the Sky History Channel says it’s a privilege to walk in the footsteps of Richard Burton, who played Churchill on screen 50 years ago.

Partly filmed in Swansea’s historic Guildhall, just a few miles from Burton’s home village of Pontrhydyfen, Sky History channel’s U-boat Wargamers (Tuesdays 9 pm) recreates the fraught and sometimes bad tempered relationship between Churchill and the top brass of the Admiralty, especially in early 1943 when naval losses in the North Atlantic were heavy.

Patrick Legge, 63, grew up in the Rhondda Valley, but now lives near Newport where he combines acting with writing and preparing lectures about the British Bulldog wartime PM.

Patrick is the latest in a long line of actors – around 60 in all, to have portrayed the iconic wartime leader on film or on tv. Most notable are Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Brian Cox and Gary Oldman. Patrick  is believed to be the only Welsh actor to play the role since Richard Burton, tackled the role of the iconic ‘British Bulldog’ in the 1974 tv movie, The Gathering Storm.

On Burton and Churchill, Patrick said: “Richard Burton found it difficult to separate his personal disapproval of Churchill’s politics and character when he approached the part. He was uncomfortable with resembling Churchill, refused any specialist make-up or tips from speech coaches. Basically, Burton’s performance relied on his magnificently resonant voice alone. Only Burton could carry that off. I’m no Richard Burton!”

Patrick added: “We all know about Churchill’s ironic cigar, the trademark Homburg hat, the brilliant sarcasm and the famous wartime speeches. The real key to unlocking his character is how he balanced the many pressures and tensions of the war with the grave responsibilities as leader of the nation.”

Patrick added: ‘‘Capturing the complexities within Churchill’s character is not for the faint-hearted.’’

To prepare for the role, Patrick Legge listened to Churchill’s famous speeches and radio broadcasts to capture the wartime PM’s distinctive voice and use of English. Churchill’s explosive outbursts; his use of colourful language and his ability to use words as weapons were all part of the actor’s preparation for the role.

On Wales’ fraught relationship with Churchill, Patrick said: “Communities of the South Wales Valleys never forgot or forgave Churchill’s uncompromising, strong-arm tactics in Tonypandy in 1910 when he was Home Secretary. Sending in battalions of English troops from as far away as Lancashire was heavy-handed treatment of miners fighting for better working conditions and improved pay. Arguably, it took War War II for Churchill to readjust his prejudiced perception that the Welsh were ‘‘troublesome friends of Karl Marx“.

The actor, voice-over artist and cruise ship lecturer says other clues to Churchill’s complex character are found in his early life and chequered personal history.

“It’s easy to forget that in the period leading up to 1940, Churchill was considered by London’s political and social elite as someone bordering on the absurd. He was a bumbling, unsophisticated and verbally direct figure on the fringe of Westminster’s ‘inner circle”.

As Prime Minister, Churchill’s mental health was a constant concern to his family and to the wartime Cabinet:

“The toll the war took on Churchill was immense”, said Patrick.

“His mental health – what he called his ‘black dog’ of depression – deteriorated. At the time, this was hushed up to protect Churchill’s heroic image”.

Patrick recognises Churchill’s position as one of the great communicators of the Twentieth Century.

“Churchill was able to use the English language like a weapon.    

“He also used perfectly-chosen words to ‘paint’ vivid and heroic images. That’s why actors relish playing him.”

Now, in the run-up to King Charles’ Coronation in May and National Armed Forces Week in June, Patrick is preparing a series of special performances and appearances as Churchill, entitled The Churchill Experience.

“People like the idea of history being brought to life,’’ says Patrick. ‘‘That could be on tv or hearing Churchill’s famous speeches performed live at a commemorative event or stage show. Almost 60 years after his death, Churchill complex character still has the power to fascinate us.”

U-Boat Wargamers continues on Sky History on Tuesday evenings at 9pm.

(Lead image: The Churchill Experience)