Poel, William (1852–1934)

English actor and producer. He formed the Elizabethan Stage Society in 1895, whose productions influenced the work of other actors and producers. He favoured a bare stage, fine verse speaking, and a swift, unbroken progress through the play. One of his most successful productions was a revival of the medieval morality play Everyman in 1901.

Dame Edith Evans made an appearance, as an amateur, as Cressida in Poel's production of Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, and he trained a number of actors noted for their good diction.