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Simon Russell Beale

Birth Place: Penang, MALAYSIA

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BIO

Simon Russell Beale's theatre career began with plays at the Traverse and Lyceum Theatres in Edinburgh. His first London appearance was in William Gaskill's Royal Court production of Women Beware Women.



For the National Theatre: Timon of Athens, Collaborators (in the Cottesloe and Olivier theatres), London Assurance, Major Barbara, Much Ado About Nothing, The Life of Galileo, The Alchemist, Jumpers (also West End and New York, where he was nominated for a 2004 Tony Award for Best Actor), Humble Boy (also West End), the title role in Hamlet (2000 Evening Standard Best Actor, Critics' Circle Award for Best Shakespearean Performance and the Boston Critics' Association Outstanding Actor in a Large Company), Battle Royal, Candide (2000 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical), Summerfolk, Money, Othello, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Volpone (1996 Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor).

For the RSC, Simon Russell Beale has performaed in : The Tempest, King Lear, Ghosts, the title roles in Richard III and Edward II, The Seagull, Troilus and Cressida, The Man of Mode and Restoration.

West End: Death Trap
Other theatre: Bluebird, The Winter's Tale, The Cherry Orchard, Monty Python's Spamalot, The Philanthropist (2005 Evening Standard and Critics' Circle Best Actor), Uncle Vanya, Twelfth Night (both winning him 2002 Evening Standard, Critics' Circle and Olivier Awards for Best Actor and Drama Desk award nominations in the US. For Uncle Vanya: Village Voice Obie for Best Actor), Julius Caesar, Macbeth and The Duchess of Malfi.

Ballet
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland


TV
American Experience, Dunkirk, The Young Visiters, Great Historians: Gibbon, A Dance to the Music of Time (1997 Royal Television Society Best Actor and BAFTA Best Actor), Persuasion and The Mushroom Pickers. He is the presenter of BBC Four's Sacred Music.


Films
My Week with Marilyn, The Deep Blue Sea, The Gathering, Alice in Wonderland, An Ideal Husband, The Temptation of Franz Schubert and Hamlet.


Radio
Extensive recording credits, including The Complete George Smiley, War and Peace; Oscar in The Trials of Oscar Wilde, The Sisterhood, Waiting for Godot, Art and A Dance to the Music of Time.


Narrations

Several books, three roles for the Shakespeare CD Series, and a 10-part television series on The National Trust. Also a 10-part series on The National Trust and presenter of Sacred Victoria, Symphony and Sacred Music.


Concerts

First Night of the Proms, Ivan The Terrible, Artaxerxes, Façade, Music and Poetry: Auden and Britten, The Firebrand of Florence and Stravinksy Promenade.


Simon Russell Beale is an associate of the National and Almeida theatres, and an associate artist of the RSC. In 2003 he was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to the Arts.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
2022
EBENEZER [Replacement]

[West End]
2022
JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2021
Henry Lehman

[Off-Broadway]
Park Avenue Armory North American Premiere, 2019
Performer

[West End]
Original West End Production, 2018
Performer

[London]
Bent, LGBT+, London, National Theatre, George Mackey, Simon Russell Beale, 2017
Performer

[West End]
2013
Roote

[West End]
National Theatre Production, 2011
Joseph Stalin

[West End]
London Revival, 2010
Sydney Bruhl

[West End]
London Production, 2006
King Arthur [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2005
King Arthur [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
George

[West End]
Royal National Theatre Production, 1999
Performer


Movies

Orlando
[ 1992 ] Earl of Moray
Jane Austen's Persuasion
[ 1995 ] Charles Musgrove
Hamlet
[ 1996 ] Second Gravedigger
An Ideal Husband
[ 1999 ] Sir Edward
The Gathering
[ 2002 ] Luke Frer
National Theatre Live: London Assurance
[ 2010 ] Sir Harcourt Courtly
My Week with Marilyn
[ 2011 ] Cotes-Preedy
National Theatre Live: Collaborators
[ 2011 ] Joseph Stalin
The Deep Blue Sea
[ 2011 ] Sir William Collyer
Timon of Athens
[ 2012 ] Timon
Into the Woods
[ 2014 ] Baker's Father
King Lear
[ 2014 ] Lear
The Legend of Tarzan
[ 2016 ] Mr. Frum
My Cousin Rachel
[ 2017 ] Couch
The Death of Stalin
[ 2017 ] Lavrenti Beria
Royal Shakespeare Company: The Tempest
[ 2017 ] Prospero
Operation Finale
[ 2018 ] David Ben-Gurion
Museo
[ 2018 ] Frank Graves
Mary Queen of Scots
[ 2018 ] Robert Beale
The Lehman Trilogy
[ 2019 ] Henry Lehman
The Tragedy of King Richard the Second
[ 2019 ] King Richard II
Radioactive
[ 2019 ] Professor Lippmann
A Christmas Carol
[ 2020 ] Scrooge, Simon Russell-Beale
Benediction
[ 2021 ] Robbie Ross
Operation Mincemeat
[ 2021 ] Winston Churchill
Thor: Love and Thunder
[ 2022 ] Dionysus
The Outfit
[ 2022 ] Roy

TV Shows

MI-5
Home Secretary, William Towers
Penny Dreadful
Ferdinand Lyle

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2022 - Distinguished Performance Awards

Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy


winner
Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy

Evening Standard Awards - 2015 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeTemple

Drama League Awards - 2012 - Distinguished Performance Award

Simon Russell BealeBluebird


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2012 - Best Actor

Simon Russell Beale, Collaborators

Drama Desk Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, The Winter's Tale


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2005 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeThe Philanthropist


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2005 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeThe Philanthropist

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, Jumpers

Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, Jumpers


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Simon Russell Beale, Uncle Vanya


winner
Obie Awards - 2003 - Performance

Simon Russell Beale, Uncle Vanya


winner
Olivier Awards - 2003 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeUncle Vanya


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Featured Actor - Play

Simon Russell Beale, Twelfth Night


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2002 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeUncle Vanya


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2002 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeTwelfth Night

Olivier Awards - 2002 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeHumble Boy

Olivier Awards - 2001 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeHamlet


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2000 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeHamlet


winner
Olivier Awards - 2000 - Best Actor in a Musical

Simon Russell Beale, Candide

Olivier Awards - 1998 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeOthello

Olivier Awards - 1992 - Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Simon Russell BealeTroilus And Cressida, RSC

Olivier Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Performance of the Year in a Supporting Role

Simon Russell BealeMan Of Mode, Restoration, Playing With Trains and Some Americans Abroad

Tony Awards - 1985 - Best Musical

Richard Kagan, Leader of the Pack

Videos

News


Review: THE INVENTION OF LOVE, Hampstead Theatre

Don’t be fooled. It’s midwinter and a rotund man with a big white beard is centre stage. But this is no schmultz-fest panto. It’s Simon Russell Beale as A.E Housman in Blanche Mcintyre’s sober new production of Tom Stoppard’s portrait of the artist as an old man, The Invention Of Love.
Critics' Choice: Cheryl Markosky's Best Shows of 2024

Grand dame Sian Phillips stealing the show, Adam Cooper giving an unexpected twirl and smaller theatre spaces punching above their weight. These are some of BroadwayWorld reviewer Cheryl Markosky's favourite theatre moments of 2024.
MGCfutures Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Michael Grandage’s charity MGCfutures celebrated their 10th anniversary last Thursday 7 November at St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. Learn more about the organization here!
MGCfutures Bursary Programme Opens Applications For 2024

Artistic Director of MGC, Michael Grandage has announced that the eighth MGCfutures Bursary Programme will open for applications on 8 November at 12pm and closes on 5 December at 12pm.
The Theatre Channel Will Offer Library of Performances, Behind-the-Scenes Content, and More

The Theatre Channel is a new video-on-demand platform that brings the thrill of live theatre directly to your screen. Offering an ever-growing library of performances, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes content from Broadway, the West End and beyond, The Theatre Channel is the one-stop destination for theatre lovers.
Recap the Works of Jamie Lloyd

​ In just over a week, one of the most-anticipated shows of the season officially opens on Broadway. Sunset Boulevard is back, straight from its acclaimed run in London, and this time, Tony-nomintaed and Olivier-winning director Jamie Lloyd is at the helm. Check out the director's extenisve list of London and New York credits here or recap on some highlights below! In 2008, Lloyd was made the associate director of the Donmar Warehouse. His 2008 production of Piaf transferred to the West End and to Buenos Aires. In 2008 he directed The Pride at the Royal Court, for which he won the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. His 2010 production of Passion won the Evening Standard Award for Best Musical. Elena Roger sings from Passion at the 2010 Olivier Awards: In 2013, the Ambassador Theatre Group launched The Jamie Lloyd Company. As the  artistic director at Trafalgar Studios in 2013, Lloyd featured three productions: a revival of The Pride, The Hothouse starring Simon Russell Beale and John Simm, and Macbeth, starring James McAvoy and Claire Foy, which received an Olivier nomination for Best Revival.  A second Trafalgar Transformed season opened in July 2014 with Richard III starring Martin Freeman, East is East, and The Ruling Class, again starring James McAvoy. In the same year, Lloyd directed Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory, starring Catherine Tate, Aaron Tveit, and Jamie Parker. Starry productions in the following years included The Homecoming starring Gemma Chan and John Simm; The Maids , starring Uzo Aduba, Zawe Ashton, and Laura Carmichael; and Doctor Faustus starring Kit Harington. Lloyd's 2019 production of Evita, which played the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, earned two Olivier nominations and was lead by Samantha Pauly. Soon after, he brought Harold Pinter's Betrayal to Broadway, starring Tom Hiddleston, Zawe Ashton and Carlie Cox. The production marked his first Tony nomination. Hightlights from Evita:  Ad for Betrayal on Broadway: In 2019, Lloyd revealed plans to direct and produce a series of three plays at the Playhouse Theatre in collaboration with The Jamie Lloyd Company. The lineup included a new adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac featuring James McAvoy; a version of The Seagull starring Emilia Clarke, adapted by Anya Reiss; and A Doll's House with Jessica Chastain in the lead role. The latter opened on Broadway in 2023 (second Tony nomination). Cyrano de Bergerac would go on to play BAM in 2022. Highlights from The Seagull: Highlights from Cyrano de Bergerac:  Highlights from A Doll's House: Lloyd returned to the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber with his revival of Sunset Boulevard in late 2023. The musical, starring Nicole Scherzinger, won an Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and Lloyd won for Best Director. Earlier this year, Lloyd returned to the West End to direct Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, which played a limited engagement in 2024.  Lloyd and Scherzinger talk Sunset Boulevard: Sunset Boulevard will open on October 20, 2024 at the St. James Theatre. ​
The Jamie Lloyd Company Opening Film Division

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How You Know These HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Actors from the Stage

Whether you are Team Black or Team Green, there is probably a stage veteran on your side. Actors include Tony Award winners, current Broadway stars, and Royal Shakespeare Company members. Take a look here to find out which stars you may recognize from the theatre, including Gayle Rankin, Sir Simon Russell Beale, Eve Best, and more.
DOWNTON ABBEY 3 Coming in 2025

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Max Celebrates Season 2 of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON With 270-ft Vhagar The Dragon Installation

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HBO Renews HOUSE OF THE DRAGON For a Third Season

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FOUR PLAY to Begin This Thursday at Theatre Rhinoceros

Following up on sold out runs of A Guide for the Homesick and f**king Men, JT Presents and Theatre Rhinoceros will bring Jake Brunger’s hit Four Play from London to San Francisco in time for Pride 2024
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs Appoints Matthew Beale as Executive Director

Sydney Philharmonia Choirs has announced the appointment of Matthew Beale as Executive Director, charged with advancing the Choirs’ position as one of Australia’s leading arts organisations.
Video: Watch Trailer for Season 2 of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

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Review: THE DEEP BLUE SEA, Theatre Royal Bath

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DOWNTON ABBEY 3 Officially in the Works with Paul Giamatti, Dominic West, & More

Following Imelda Staunton's recent statements about a third Downton Abbey film, it has been confirmed that another installment in the franchise is indeed happening. Simon Curtis is returning to direct after helming 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era, and much of the original cast is returning, along with some new additions.
Video: See Jude Law as King Henry VIII in New Trailer for FIREBRAND

In blood-soaked Tudor England, twice married, accomplished, and educated Katherine Parr (Vikander), reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII (Law). Her consent to marry him carries great personal risk, given that her predecessors are either vanquished, beheaded, or dead. When Henry appoints her as Regent, the nation’s ruler during his absence when he departs to fight overseas, he lays a dangerous path for her. Watch the trailer!
Gayle Rankin Joins HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season Two

Back for season two is Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, and Matthew Needham. Watch the trailer video now!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Simon Russell Beale been in?

Simon Russell Beale has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Simon Russell Beale been in?

Simon Russell Beale has appeared on London's West End in 8 shows.

What was Simon Russell Beale's first West End show?

Simon Russell Beale's first West End show was Candide which opened in 1999

What awards has Simon Russell Beale been nominated for?

Distinguished Performance Awards (Drama League Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Temple, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Bluebird , Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Collaborators, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Winter's Tale, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for The Philanthropist, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for The Philanthropist, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Jumpers , Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Jumpers, Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Performance (Obie Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Outstanding Featured Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Humble Boy, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Hamlet , Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Hamlet, Best Actor in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Candide , Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Othello , Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for Troilus And Cressida, RSC, Outstanding Performance of the Year in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for Man Of Mode, Restoration, Playing With Trains and Some Americans Abroad and Best Musical (Tony Awards) for Leader of the Pack.

What awards has Simon Russell Beale won?

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy; Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Collaborators; Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for The Philanthropist; Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Uncle Vanya; Performance (Obie Awards) for Uncle Vanya; Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Uncle Vanya; Outstanding Featured Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Twelfth Night; Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Uncle Vanya; Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Twelfth Night; Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Hamlet; and Best Actor in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Candide.

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