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Siân Phillips

Birth Place: Bettws, Carmarthenshire, WALES

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BIO

Siân Phillips is a Welsh actress, singer, and author who has had a long and successful career in both theater and film. She was born on May 14, 1933, in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Wales, and began her acting career in the 1950s.

Phillips made her Broadway debut in 1965 in the original production of "Marat/Sade," for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play. She then went on to star in the 1973 revival of "A Little Night Music," playing the role of Desiree Armfeldt. Her performance earned her a second Tony nomination, this time for Best Actress in a Musical.

In addition to her work on Broadway, Phillips has also had a successful career on the West End. She received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Marlene Dietrich in the 1987 production of "Marlene," for which she won an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She also starred in the 1997 production of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" at the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing the role of Madame de Rosemonde.

Phillips has also made numerous appearances on television and in film throughout her career. She is perhaps best known for her role as Livia in the BBC television series "I, Claudius," which aired in 1976. Her performance in the series earned her a BAFTA Award for Best Actress. She has also appeared in films such as "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" (1969), "Dune" (1984), and "The Age of Innocence" (1993).

In addition to her work in acting, Phillips is also a successful singer. She has released several albums throughout her career, including "The Age of Diva" (2000) and "The Essential Siân Phillips" (2007). She has also written several books, including her autobiography "Private Faces" (1999) and a novel titled "A Proper Woman" (2004).

Most recently, Phillips appeared in the 2019 production of "The Night of the Iguana" at the Noel Coward Theatre in London's West End. She played the role of Maxine Faulk in the production, which received critical acclaim.

Siân Phillips is a true icon of the stage and screen, with a career spanning over six decades. Her talent and versatility have made her a beloved figure in the world of theater, and her contributions to the arts have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2008
Madame de Rosemonde

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1999
Marlene Dietrich

[West End]
Original London Production, 1997
Performer

[West End]
Royal National Theatre Production, 1995
Madame Armfeldt

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1994
Sybil Birling [Replacement]

[West End]
London Revival, 1985
Aunt Alicia

[West End]
Original London Production, 1984
Mrs. Chichester

[London Fringe]
London Revival, 1980
Vera


Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2013 - Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Sian PhillipsCabaret

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Sian Phillips, Les Liaisons Dangereuses


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Actress - Musical

Sian Phillips, Marlene Marlene

Tony Awards - 1999 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Sian Phillips, Marlene

Olivier Awards - 1980 - Actress of the Year in a Musical

Sian Phillips, Pal Joey

News


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.
Judi Dench and Siân Phillips Named First Female Members of the Garrick Club

Judi Dench and Siân Phillips have been named as the first women members of the Garrick Club,. This comes after the private members’ club voted in May to admit women for the first time since it was founded in 1831.
STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Cast Recording Starring Helena Bonham Carter, Bernadette Peters- Out This Week

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends: A Celebration (Live at the Sondheim Theatre) will be available as a 2-disc CD set and digital and streaming formats on Friday, December 8.
Photos: Go Inside Opening Night for STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS

The stars were out in force to celebrate the opening night of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre. Check out the photos below!
The Shaw Society Welcomes Theatre Icons Dame Sian Phillips and Patricia Hodge OBE as Newly Elected Trustees

The Shaw Society, the UK-based charitable organisation dedicated to celebrating the theatre and writings of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, proudly announces the election of two esteemed theatre icons, Dame Sian Phillips and Patricia Hodge OBE, as Trustees.
Off Broadway Cast Recording Of THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO HEATHER To Be Released On JAY Records

Raise Your Hands! The Off Broadway cast recording of The Gospel According to Heather, a new musical with a book, music and lyrics by Paul Gordon. will be released on JAY Records. Produced by John Yap, the recording will feature the original cast of the Off Broadway production who gathered this week at Manhattan Studios to lay down the tracks.
Full Cast And Creative Team Announced For CLYDE'S at George Street Playhouse

George Street Playhouse has announced the full cast and creative team as rehearsals kick-off for Clyde's the lightning- charged comedy by two-time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage. 
STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Broadcast Date and Time Confirmed

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends will be broadcast on BBC Two on 31 December at 5.35pm and then available on the BBC iPlayer. Performances will include Bernadette Peters singing 'Losing My Mind' from Follies and Imelda Staunton singing 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' from Gypsy.
DUET FOR ONE Starring Tara Fitzgerald Joins Orange Tree Theatre's 2023 Season

The Orange Tree Theatre has announced their production of Tom Kempinski’s 1980 drama Duet For One. Richard Beecham makes his OT debut directing Tara Fitzgerald (Stephanie Abrahams) and Maureen Beattie (Dr Feldmann) in this new adaptation accompanied by live music.
Daniel Yearwood, Morgan Dudley, Ben Jackson Walker & More to Lead SENIOR CLASS 29-Hour Industry Reading

The new original musical Senior Class will receive a AEA 29-hour industry reading beginning this week. Senior Class has a book, melodies, and lyrics written by Melvin Tunstall, III and music & arrangements by Greg Dean Borowsky and was conceived by Kevin Duda.
VIDEO: Watch Highlights from OLD FRIENDS, Celebrating Stephen Sondheim!

An all-star cast came together in London's West End for a thrilling, joyous celebration of the extraordinary talents and legacy of composer & lyricist Stephen Sondheim at the theatre which was gloriously rebuilt and renamed in his honor. Watch video highlights now including performances of 'Being Alive,' 'Old Friends' and 'Our Time' below!
Photos: Bernadette Peters, Michael Ball, Judi Dench, and More Celebrate Sondheim in SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS

An all-star cast came together last evening (Tuesday, May 3) in London’s West End for a thrilling, joyous celebration of the extraordinary talents and legacy of composer & lyricist Stephen Sondheim at the theatre which was gloriously rebuilt and renamed in his honor. View photos from the special concert.
Jermyn Street Theatre Announces Summer and Autumn Season

Today, Jermyn Street Theatre announces a six-month programme featuring six world premieres and a major rediscovery. The Footprints Festival returns in July, headlined by Karina Wiedman's The Anarchist, winner of the Woven Voices Prize for Playwriting.
Sian Phillips Will Lead Beckett Double Bill FOOTFALLS & ROCKABY at Jermyn Street Theatre

This November, Jermyn Street Theatre continues its association with the work of Samuel Beckett with the 45th anniversary staging of his play Footfalls and the 40th of Rockaby.
BWW Feature: WE SAW THEM FIRST / THE MUSICAL ACTRESSES - Five Musicals Whose Female Performers Later Became Stars

Our monthlong series culling some of the early London theatrical triumphs of stars before they became known to the world at large draws to a close with our look back at a brilliant quintet of actresses who commanded attention in one musical (sometimes several) before broader renown came to call.
Play to the Crowd Survival Appeal Reaches £200,000

The Survival Fundraising Appeal of Play to the Crowd - the arts and education charity which runs Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and Playmakers - has announced this week, that their fundraising efforts have reached the milestone of £200,000. The charity needs to raise a total of £225,000 by the end of September.
Frantic Assembly Celebrates It's First Ever Performance 25 Years Ago

On 21 October 1994, Frantic Assembly performed their first ever work a?" a production of John Osborne's Look Back in Anger performed by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett at the Taliesin Arts Centre in Swansea. To mark the anniversary of their first performance, the company today announced a new fundraising initiative and revealed further details of projects forming a year of activity to celebrate 25 years of Frantic Assembly.
Watford Palace Theatre Announces 2019-2020 Season

Artistic Director Brigid Larmour today announces programming to complete Watford Palace Theatre's season for September 2019 - June 2020, following the world première of Mushy: Lyrically Speaking earlier this month. The co-production with Rifco Theatre Company is now on tour across the UK until 5 October.
Watford Palace Theatre Announces Full Cast For Patrick Hamilton's GASLIGHT

Watford Palace Theatre today announce full cast for Patrick Hamilton's classic psychological thriller, Gaslight. Richard Beecham directs Hannah Hutch (Nancy), Sandra James-Young (Elizabeth), Jasmine Jones (Jack Manningham), Tricia Kelly (Inspector Rough) and Sally Tatum (Bella Manningham). The production opens on 7 October with previews from 2 October and runs until 26 October.
Bristol Old Vic All-Stars Announced As Cast For CYRANO

Bristol Old Vic today announced the full cast for its major autumn production - Cyrano - directed by Tom Morris, in what amounts to a Bristol All-Stars line-up of the theatre's most charismatic actors from some of the best-loved productions of recent years, with six of the seven living in the South West.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Siân Phillips been in?

Siân Phillips has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Siân Phillips been in?

Siân Phillips has appeared on London's West End in 4 shows.

What was Siân Phillips's first West End show?

Siân Phillips's first West End show was Peg which opened in 1984

What awards has Siân Phillips been nominated for?

Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Cabaret, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Marlene Marlene, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Marlene and Actress of the Year in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Pal Joey.

What awards has Siân Phillips won?

Siân Phillips has won the Outstanding Actress - Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for her performance in Marlene.

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