Brenda Blethyn
BRENDA BLETHYN(?night, Mother) Trained at The Guildford School of Acting in Surrey and now a member of the Board of Governors, Brenda has worked extensively in all areas of entertainment, radio, television, film and theatre. The majority of her career has been spent working in theatre, most notably at the Royal National Theatre in London, where productions include The Beaux Stratagem, Dalliance, The Mysteries, Strife, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Tales from the Vienna Woods and many others. The Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester productions include Born Yesterday, A Doll’s House directed by Greg Hersov, An Ideal Husband and at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Alan Ayckbourn’s Wildest Dreams. West End Productions include Habeas Corpus, directed by Sam Mendes, Steaming, Benefactors (Olivier Awards, Best Actress Nom.), and most recently the highly acclaimed production of Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession directed by Sir Peter Hall. Brenda appeared at the Manhattan Theatre Company in l990 in Alan Ayckbourn’s Absent Friends directed by Lynne Meadow (Theatre World Award). Numerous television performances include Outside Edge (Best Comedy Actress Award), Chance In A Million, Death of An Expert Witness, The Labours of Erica, Kay Mellor’s Between the Sheets, and most recently Alan Plater’s Belonging and Anne Frank, The Whole Story (Golden Globe and Emmy Nom.) Her films include Nicholas Roeg’s The Witches, Robert Redford’s A River Runs Through It, Mike Leigh’s Secrets and Lies (Golden Globe, Oscar Nom.), Nick Hurran’s Girl’s Night, Nicole Holofcener’s Lovely and Amazing, John Lynch’s Night Train, Nick Hurran’s Undertaking Betty, Nigel Cole’s Saving Grace (Golden Globe nom.), and Mark Herman’s Little Voice (Golden Globe, Oscar nomination). Films to be released later this year include, Beyond the Sea, directed by Kevin Spacey, Piccadilly Jim, directed by John Mackay, On a Clear Day directed by Gaby Dallal, A Way of Life directed by Amma Asante and Pride and Prejudice directed by Joe Clarke. In 2003 Brenda was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Years Honours List, and was awarded an Hon. Doctorate D.Litt at the University of Kent in Canterbury for her contribution to the Performing Arts. Bio as of November, 2004. American Theatre Wing programs, interviews and/or credits include: Working in the Theatre (video) Performance - December, 2004 - Watch now. Internet Broadway Database Listing (IBDB.com)