Desmond Barrit  Desmond Barrit is a Welsh actor, best known for his stage work. An early screen role for Barrit came in "Alice through the Looking Glass" (1998), in which he played Humpty Dumpty. In 2003 he played Shylock in the Chichester Festival Theatre's production of Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", while in he appeared in "The History Boys" at Wyndham's Theatre portraying the general studies teacher, Hector, made famous by Richard Griffiths in the film version. In 2004 in a limited-run revival of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" at the Royal National Theatre Barrit played Pseudolus opposite Philip Quast as Miles Gloriosus, Hamish McColl as Hysterium and Isla Blair as Domina (who had previously played Philia in the 1963 production). The production was nominated for the 2005 Olivier Award, Outstanding Musical Production. On 7 July 2008 he took over the role of The Wizard from Nigel Planer in the West End production of "Wicked" at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Originally set to begin 9 June, his performance had to be postponed as he had to undergo an operation. Beginning 12 December 2011 he returned to "Wicked", reprising his role of the Wizard, taking over from Clive Carter. He ended his third return engagement with the show on 7 July 2012 (four years after his debut), and was replaced three weeks later by Keith Bartlett. In 2014 he appeared as Michaud in Helen Edmundson's adaptation of "Therese Raquin" at the Theatre Royal, Bath.