During his time with the company, he also demonstrated what the "Daily Telegraph" called a "crusty charm" as Sir Oblong Fitz Oblong in Robert Bolt's children's play "The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew". He was also noted as possessing a gift for dry comedy during this period of his acting career, exemplified by his roles in Maxim Gorky's plays "Enemies" and "Summerfolk". He demonstrated a particular knack for Russian comedy in Jonathan Miller's productions of the Anton Chekhov plays "Three Sisters" and "Ivanov".