Sean Mathias
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Bibliography
Biography
An accomplished playwright and director, Sean Mathias made an assured feature directorial debut with "Bent" (1997), adapted from Martin Sherman's 1979 play about the plight of homosexuals interred in concentration camps. Mathias imposed a highly theatrical and stylized look that cut to the heart of Sherman's work. He also elicited fine performances from leading actors Clive Owen and Lothaire Bluteau and effective cameos from veterans Mick Jagger and Ian McKellen and rising stars like Jude Law and Rupert Graves.
The Welsh-born Mathias began his showbiz career as an actor in the late 1970s in fringe productions. He made his film debut in a small role in Richard Attenborough's overblown WWII would-be epic "A Bridge Too Far" (1977) and went on to appear in small roles in "Priest of Love" (1981), the TV-movie "The Scarlet Pimpernel" (CBS, 1982) and "White Mischief" (1988).
By the early 80s, Mathias had also begun to make inroads as playwright. His first drama, "Cowardice," premiered in the West End starring Janet Suzman and Ian McKellen. Several of his other efforts, notably "Infidelities" and "A Prayer for Wings," premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival before moving to commercial runs. He also adapted David Levitt's novel "The Lost Language of Cranes" (1992) for British television. Mathias added director to his list of credits beginning with "Exceptions" (1988). He staged an acclaimed revival of "Bent" in 1989 as a benefit, co-starring McKellen, Richard E Grant, Ian Charleson and Ralph Fiennes. Based on the critical and audience reaction, the play was revived the following year again with McKellen who was joined by Paul Rhys and Christopher Eccleston, among others. Mathias has since directed highly-praised productions of "Uncle Vanya" (1991), "Design for Living" (1994), "Les Parents Terribles" (also 1994 and on Broadway in 1996 under the title "Indiscretions") and "A Little Night Music" (1995).
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Cast (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Writer (Special)
Producer (Special)
Special Thanks (Special)
Life Events
1977
Film acting debut, small role in "A Bridge Too Far"
1978
Began career as an actor, appearing in fringe productions in Edinburgh
1982
Acted in the CBS TV-movie "The Scarlet Pimpernel"
1982
Produced "Ian McKellen in Acting Shakespeare" which toured the world and was filmed and aired in the USA on PBS
1983
Wrote the play "Cowardice"; produced in the West End starring Janet Suzman and Ian McKellen
1985
His play "Infidelities" was first produced at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and then transfered to the Donmar Wharehouse
1987
Joan Plowright directed Mathias' play "A Prayer for Wings"; first produced at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival before transferring to a London theater
1988
Appeared in the film "White Mischief"
1990
Staged acclaimed revival of Martin Sherman's play "Bent"
1991
Directed well-received stage production of "Uncle Vanya"
1992
Wrote the teleplay for the BBC production "The Lost Language of Cranes" (shown in USA on PBS)
1994
Directed West End productions of "Les Parents Terribles" and "Design for Living"
1995
Staged an acclaimed revival of the Stephen Sondheim-Hugh Wheeler musical "A Little Night Music", co-starring Sian Phillips and Judi Dench
1996
Broadway debut as director, "Indiscretions", the retitled version of "Les Parents Terribles"; earned Tony nomination as Best Director
1997
Directed the stage play "Marlene", starring Sian Phillips as Marlene Dietrich
1997
Film directing debut, "Bent"
1998
Directed Alan Rickman and Helen Mirren in Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra"
1999
Staged the Broadway production of "Marlene", starring Sian Phillips
2001
Helmed the revival of Strindberg's "Dance of Death", starring Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren
2001
Directed the Off-Broadway play "Servicemen"
2002
Was director of the Broadway revival of "The Elephant Man", starring Billy Crudup
Family
Companions
