Sean Mathias facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sean Mathias
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Mathias at a press event for the plays Waiting for Godot and No Man's Land in 2013.
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| Born |
Sean Gerard Mathias
14 March 1956 Swansea, Wales
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| Occupation | Actor, director, writer |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Paul de Lange
(m. 2007) |
| Partner(s) | Ian McKellen (1978–1988) |
Sean Gerard Mathias (born 14 March 1956) is a Welsh actor, director, and writer. He is famous for directing the movie Bent and for leading popular plays in big cities like London, New York City, and Sydney.
In 2006, he was named one of the most influential people in Britain's gay and lesbian community by the Independent on Sunday newspaper. Mathias also co-owns The Grapes pub in London with his business partners, actor Ian McKellen and Evgeny Lebedev.
Contents
Career
Acting Roles
Sean Mathias started his acting career in 1977 with a small part in the BBC television series Survivors. In the same year, he appeared in the war movie A Bridge Too Far.
In 1978, Mathias acted in a play at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It was there he met the actor Ian McKellen, and they became partners for about nine years.
Throughout the 1980s, Mathias had small roles in movies and TV shows. He acted alongside McKellen in the 1981 film Priest of Love and the 1982 TV movie The Scarlet Pimpernel. One of his most well-known film roles was as Gerald Portman in the 1988 movie White Mischief.
Writing for the Stage and Screen
Mathias is also a talented writer. His first play, Cowardice, was shown in London in 1983 and starred Ian McKellen. He wrote several other plays, including A Prayer For Wings, which won an award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Besides plays, Mathias wrote a novel called Manhattan Mourning, which was published in 1988. He also wrote the script for the BBC television film The Lost Language of Cranes, which was shown in 1992.
Directing for the Theatre
Mathias is most famous for his work as a theatre director. In 1990, he directed a new version of the play Bent at the National Theatre in London. The show was a big success and won an award.
Major Productions
In 1994, Mathias won the London Critics Circle Theatre Award for Best Director for two plays: Design for Living and Les Parents terribles. The second play moved to Broadway in New York City under the title Indiscretions. It was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including one for Mathias as Best Director.
He has directed many famous actors. In 1995, he directed Dame Judi Dench in the musical A Little Night Music. In 1998, he directed Alan Rickman and Dame Helen Mirren in Antony and Cleopatra.
Working with Ian McKellen
Mathias has often worked with his friend, Sir Ian McKellen. In 2004, he directed McKellen in a traditional British Christmas show called a pantomime. They performed Aladdin at the famous Old Vic theatre in London, with McKellen playing the funny role of Widow Twankey.
In 2009, he directed McKellen and Patrick Stewart in the classic play Waiting for Godot. They performed it again on Broadway in 2013, along with another play called No Man's Land. The shows were very popular with critics and audiences.
International Work
Mathias has also directed plays around the world. He has a home in South Africa and has directed several plays there, including Antigone in 2004. He said that working in a new place helped him find fresh ideas and inspiration.
Directing for Film
Mathias also directed the 1997 film Bent, which was based on the play he had directed. The movie starred famous actors like Clive Owen, Ian McKellen, and Mick Jagger. It won an award at the prestigious Cannes film festival.
Personal Life
From 1978 to 1988, Mathias was in a relationship with actor Ian McKellen. In 2007, he married his partner, Paul de Lange, in South Africa.
