Maria Aitken facts for kids

Maria Penelope Katharine Aitken (born on September 12, 1945) is a talented English theatre director, teacher, actress, and writer. She has had a long and successful career in many areas of the arts.

Maria Aitken's Early Life and Career Beginnings

Maria Aitken was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her father, Sir William Aitken, was a Conservative MP. This means he was a member of the British Parliament. Her mother was Penelope Aitken. Maria's family had strong connections to politics and media. For example, her great-uncle was Lord Beaverbrook, a famous newspaper owner and government minister during wartime. Her brother, Jonathan Aitken, also became a government minister.

Maria went to several schools, including Riddlesworth Hall and Sherborne School for Girls. She later studied English Language and Literature at St Anne's College, Oxford, a well-known university.

Maria Aitken's Work as a Director

Maria Aitken has directed many plays. Some of her productions have been shown in famous theatres in London's West End and on Broadway in New York City. One of her most famous works is The 39 Steps. This play was very popular. It ran for nine years in London and three years on Broadway. It even won important awards like the Olivier and Tony Awards. In 2011, she directed the actor Frank Langella in a play called Man and Boy on Broadway.

Maria Aitken's Acting Roles

Besides directing, Maria Aitken has had a long acting career. She has played leading roles in major theatre companies. These include the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She is known for playing many characters in plays by the famous writer Noël Coward.

She has also appeared in several films. Some of her movie roles include Doctor Faustus (1967) and Mary, Queen of Scots (1971). She was nominated for a BAFTA award for her role in the movie A Fish Called Wanda (1988). Other films she appeared in are Fierce Creatures (1997) and Jinnah (1998).

Maria Aitken as a Writer and Teacher

In 1984, Maria Aitken co-wrote and starred in a TV show called Poor Little Rich Girls. She has also written two books. One book, A Girdle Round the Earth, tells stories about remarkable women travelers. Her other book, Style: Acting in High Comedy, was published in 1996.

Maria Aitken also shares her knowledge with students. She is a visiting lecturer at top drama schools. These include Yale, NYU, and Juilliard.

Maria Aitken's Personal Life

Maria Aitken has been married three times. Her first marriage was to Richard Durden from 1968 to 1971. She then married Nigel Davenport from 1972 to 1981. During her marriage to Nigel Davenport, her son Jack Davenport was born. Jack Davenport is also an actor. Since 1991, Maria Aitken has been married to the novelist Patrick McGrath. They live in both New York and London.

Maria Aitken is also involved in charity work. Since 1992, she has been a patron of the British Thyroid Foundation. In 2012, she became a Trustee of the Noël Coward Foundation. This foundation helps to preserve the legacy of the famous playwright Noël Coward.

See also

In Spanish: Maria Aitken para niños