Theatre artist David William dies aged 84

Actor and director David William, who led Canada's prominent Stratford Shakespeare Festival for three years, has died at the age of 84 after suffering a head injury in a fall.

The British-born William joined the annual festival's team of directors in Stratford, Ontario, in the 1960s, directing a list of productions and nurturing many Canadian actors. He headed the company as artistic director from 1990 to 1993.

During his time as artistic director, he was also known for expanding the commissioning of new work and producing Canadian playwrights on the festival's larger stages.

"David made an enormous contribution to the festival that spanned many decades," festival general director Antoni Cimolino said in a statement announcing William's death on July 28.

"He directed a great deal of Shakespeare at Stratford, and became Canada's go-to director for Shakespeare's contemporaries, the Restoration and the Greeks. His work was characterised by a precision and intelligence that made the most challenging classical text enjoyable to all audiences."

Cimolino said William's mentorship of young performers continued long after his tenure with the festival with frequent visits as a guest instructor at the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre.

"David had an international career and he chose to make Canada and the Festival his home. We are richer for his choice," said Cimolino.