DATE: Sunday 2 October 2011
VENUE: The British Library Auditorium
Renowned, award-winning stage and screen director Phyllida Lloyd CBE gave the hugely engaging Guild’s 2nd Peter Brook Lecture on 2nd October at the British Library Auditorium.
Lloyd’s work has encompassed the very best of British theatre, opera, musical and film. At the helm of Mamma Mia!, on stage her production is still running after 12 years in the West End and on screen she is responsible for the most successful British film of all time. At the time of the lecture she was still working on the feature film The Iron Lady, released in January 2012, with Meryl Streep in the title role as Margaret Thatcher.
The ever delightful and talented Fiona Shaw, feted actress and director herself, hosted the lecture.
Following in the footsteps of last year's inaugural lecture with Peter Brook, Phyllida Lloyd delivered a fantastic lecture, describe by Fiona Shaw as 'gentle, informative and uplifting'. Phyllida gave the audience an insight into her directing experience across film, theatre and opera.
The Annual Directors Guild Peter Brook Lecture is a public event, giving leading directors from across disciplines a platform to address their craft, culture and industry. Last year’s Inaugural Directors Guild Peter Brook Lecture was given by Peter Brook CH himself – Peter is the Honorary President of the Guild. Peter was interviewed by Sir Richard Eyre and guests at the lecture included:, Dame Liz Forgan, Rosemary Squire, Alan Rickman, Frances de la Tour, Mike Leigh, Janet Suzman, Edward Hall and Sir Trevor Nunn.
Phyllida Lloyd’s stage career spans the Royal Court Theatre, Northern Opera, English National Opera and the National Theatre. Her film version of Gloriana received an International Emmy, a FIPA d’Or and the Royal Philharmonic Society Award.
Phyllida’s stage production of Mamma Mia! opened at the Prince Charles Theatre, London on 6th April 1999 and has been running in the London West End since. The Broadway production opened in October 2001 and is still running. Productions of the show have been staged around the world in 16 languages and 25 countries. Mamma Mia! the feature film opened in July 2008 and has become the most successful British-made film of all time (5th highest grossing film in UK box office – inflation adjusted) – as well as the first DVD to sell more than 5 million copies in the UK.
The Iron Lady (screenplay by Abi Morgan) follows the career of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and stars Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher, alongside Jim Broadbent, Harry Lloyd, Richard E. Grant, Anthony Head and Roger Allam. The producers are Film 4, Goldcrest and Pathé. Meryl Streep deservedly won both the 2012 Oscar and BAFTA actress in a leading role awards.