Janet Suzman

Last updated

Janet Suzman
DBE
Born (1939-02-09) 9 February 1939 (age 85)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Education Kingsmead College
Alma mater University of the Witwatersrand
Occupation(s)Actress, director
Spouse
(m. 1969;div. 1986)
Children1
Relatives Helen Suzman (aunt)

Dame Janet Suzman, DBE (born 9 February 1939 [1] ) is a South African-born British actress who had a successful early career in the Royal Shakespeare Company, later replaying many Shakespearean roles on television. In her first film, Nicholas and Alexandra (1971), her performance as Empress Alexandra Feodorovna earned her several honours, including a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Contents

Suzman later starred in a wide range of classical and modern drama as well as directing many productions in the UK and South Africa. Suzman appeared in A Dry White Season (1989), a film that examined apartheid.

Early life

Janet Suzman was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, to a Jewish family, the daughter of Betty (née Sonnenberg) and Saul Suzman, a wealthy tobacco importer. [2] [3]

Her grandfather, Max Sonnenberg, was a member of the South African parliament, and her aunt was the civil rights and anti-apartheid campaigner Helen Suzman. Suzman was educated at the independent school Kingsmead College, Johannesburg, and at the University of the Witwatersrand. [4]

Stage career

After training for the stage at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, [4] Suzman made her debut as Liz in Billy Liar at the Tower Theatre, Ipswich, in 1962. She became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in 1963 and started her career there as Joan of Arc in The Wars of The Roses (1962–64). The RSC gave her the opportunity to play many of the Shakespearean heroines, including Rosaline in Love's Labour's Lost , Portia in The Merchant of Venice , Ophelia in Hamlet , Kate in The Taming of the Shrew , Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing , Celia and Rosalind in As You Like It , Lavinia in Titus Andronicus and her Cleopatra, magisterial, ardent and seductive, in 1973, which is said to have been a definitive performance. (An ATV/ITC television production, Antony and Cleopatra , was broadcast in 1974 in the UK and was shown internationally.) Although her stage appearances tended to run naturally towards Shakespeare and the classics, including Ibsen's Hedda Gabler , Chekhov's The Three Sisters , Marlowe, Racine, Gorky and Brecht, she also appeared in plays by Genet, Pinter, Ronald Harwood, Nicholson, Albee and others.

Films and television

She appeared in many British television drama productions in the 1960s and early 1970s, including Saint Joan (1968), The Three Sisters (1970), Macbeth (1970), Hedda Gabler (1972), Twelfth Night (1973), as Hilda Lessways in Clayhanger (1975), as Lady Mountbatten in Lord Mountbatten: The Last Viceroy (1985) and Dennis Potter's The Singing Detective (1986). Her first film role was in Nicholas and Alexandra (1972), and she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, the BAFTA and the Golden Globe for her portrayal of the Empress Alexandra. This was followed by A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (1972) opposite Alan Bates. In addition to the 1974 television version of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, she also appeared as "Frosine" in the BBC's Theatre Night 1988 production of The Miser opposite Nigel Hawthorne as "Harpagon" and Jim Broadbent as Maitre Jacques. Another role was that of Frieda Lawrence in Priest of Love (1981).

Suzman has made few films since, including Don Siegel's The Black Windmill (1974), Nijinsky (1980), Peter Greenaway's The Draughtsman's Contract (1982), Federico Fellini's E la Nave Va ( And the Ship Sails On 1983), A Dry White Season (1989) with Marlon Brando and Nuns on the Run (1990; a rare comedic role). In 2020 Suzman appeared in the Netflix production of The Crown as the literary agent of Michael Shea, the queen's press secretary. The episode dealt with the rift between Buckingham Palace and Margaret Thatcher over the prime minister's refusal to back Commonwealth sanctions against South Africa. The episode also implied that Mrs Thatcher's stance might have been linked to her son Mark's business interests in South Africa.

Later activities

In her native South Africa she directed Othello , which was televised, and Brecht's The Good Woman of Setzuan (renamed The Good Woman of Sharpeville ) both at the Market Theatre, Johannesburg. She also toured her modern adaptation of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard – a South African response entitled The Free State. She wrote, starred in and directed this piece with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Other productions with Suzman as director included A Dream of People at the RSC, The Cruel Grasp at the Edinburgh Festival, Feydeau's No Flies on Mr Hunter (Chelsea Centre, 1992), Death of a Salesman (Theatr Clwyd, 1993), and Pam Gems's The Snow Palace (Tour and Tricycle Theatre, 1998).

In 2002, she returned to the RSC to perform in a new version of The Hollow Crown with Sir Donald Sinden, Ian Richardson and Sir Derek Jacobi. In 2005, she appeared in the West End in a revival of Brian Clark's 1978 play Whose Life Is It Anyway? starring Kim Cattrall. In 2006 she directed Hamlet and in 2007 she played Volumnia in Coriolanus in Stratford-upon-Avon, for which she received excellent notices. In 2010, she appeared in Dream of the Dog, a new South African play, at the Finborough Theatre, London, which subsequently transferred to the West End. Suzman wrote Acting With Shakespeare: Three Comedies, a book based on a series of acting master classes. [ citation needed ]

In 2014, Suzman was criticized for comments regarding arts participation in the theater. In response to a call by Meera Syal to engage in more diverse audiences, Suzman referred to theater as "a white invention, a European invention. There is, in fact no archaeological evidence to indicate otherwise." [5]

Personal life and honours

In 1969, she married director Trevor Nunn and together they had a son. They divorced in 1986. [4]

Suzman was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2011 Birthday Honours for services to drama. [6] [7]

Suzman holds honorary DLitt degrees from the universities of Warwick, Leicester, London (QMW), Southampton, Middlesex, Kingston, Cape Town, Edge Hill and Buckingham.

She is an Honorary Fellow of the Shakespeare Institute, and was awarded the Pragnell Award for lifetime services to Shakespeare in 2012. She is a patron of the London International Festival of Theatre. [8]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
1964Festival (TV series)Lucianaepisode: The Comedy of Errors
1965The Wars of the Roses (TV miniseries)Lady Anne/Joan la Pucellechapter: Richard III
chapter: Henry VI
1966 Lord Raingo (TV series)Delphineepisode: Fear
episode: Doubts
episode Power
episode: The Offer
1966Theatre 625 (TV series)Edith Swan-Neck/Maryepisode: The Family Reunion
episode: Conquest: The Leopard and the Dragon
episode: Conquest: The Encounter
1970Solo (TV series)Charlotte Brontëepisode: Janet Suzman as Charlotte Brontë
1971 Nicholas and Alexandra AlexandraNominated—Academy Award for Best Actress
Nominated—BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year - Actress
1972 A Day in the Death of Joe Egg SheilaNominated—National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress (4th place)
Nominated—New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress (3rd place)
1968–1972BBC Play of the Month (TV series)Hedda Gabler
Lady Macbeth
Masha
Joan of Arc
Nominated—British Academy Television Award for Best Actress
episode: Hedda Gabler
episode: Macbeth
episode: The Three Sisters
episode: St. Joan
1974 The Black Windmill Alex Tarrant
1974Antony and Cleopatra (TV film)CleopatraNominated—British Academy Television Award for Best Actress
1976Clayhanger (TV series)Hilda Lessways/Hilda Clayhanger
1976 Voyage of the Damned Leni Strauss
1979 The House on Garibaldi Street (TV film)Hedda
1980NijinskyEmilia Marcus
1980Escape (TV series)Wendy Woodsepisode: Banned
1981 Priest of Love Frieda Lawrence
1982 The Draughtsman's Contract Virginia Herbert
1983 And the Ship Sails On Edmea Tetua
1984The Midsummer Marriage (TV film)Sosostris
1984 The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood (TV film)Eleanor of Aquitaine
1985Bright Smiler (TV film)Avon Eve
1986Masterpiece Theatre: Lord Mountbatten – The Last ViceroyEdwina Mountbatten, Countess Mountbatten of Burma
1986 The Singing Detective (TV miniseries)Nicola
1988 Theatre Night (TV series)Frosineepisode: The Miser
1989Revolutionary Witness (TV short)Theroign de Mericourtsegment: The Woman
1989 A Dry White Season Susan du Toit
19894 Play (TV series)Judithepisode: Nobody Here But Us Chickens
1990 Nuns on the Run Sister Superior
1992Horizon (TV series)Narratorepisode: Taking the Credit
1992 Leon the Pig Farmer Judith Geller
1992 The Secret Agent (TV series)Margaret, Duchess of Chester
1993 Inspector Morse (TV series)Dr Claire Brewsterepisode: Deadly Slumber
1997 The Ruth Rendell Mysteries (TV series)Cecily Branksomeepisode: Front Seat
2002The Windsors – A Royal Family (Documentary)NarratorOriginally released in 1994 by PBS, updated and re-released in 2002
2005Hiroshima (TV film)voice
2006–2007 Trial & Retribution (TV series)Winifred Morgan QCepisode: Sins of the Father
2008The Color of Magic (TV film)Ninereeds
2010 Midsomer Murders (TV series)Lady Matilda Williamepisode: The Sword of Guillaume
2011 Tinga Tinga Tales (TV series)Ostrich
2012Sinbad (TV series)Grandmother/Safiaepisode: Homecoming
episode: Queen of the Water-Thieves
episode: Pilot
episode: The Siren
2012 Labyrinth (TV series)Esclarmondeepisode: Episode No. 1.2
episode: Episode No. 1.1
2012Moominland Tales: The Life of Tove Jansson (TV film)Readings
2013FelixMrs Cartwright
2020 The Crown Literary agent to Michael Shea episode: Episode No. 8 Series 4 "48:1"
2023 Consecration Mother Superior

Reference: "Janet Suzman". IMDb. Retrieved 25 September 2013.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorothy Tutin</span> British actress (1930–2001)

Dame Dorothy Tutin, was an English actress of stage, film and television. For her work in the theatre, she won two Olivier Awards and two Evening Standard Awards for Best Actress. She was made a CBE in 1967 and a Dame (DBE) in 2000.

<i>Hedda Gabler</i> 1891 play by Henrik Ibsen

Hedda Gabler is a play written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. The world premiere was staged on 31 January 1891 at the Residenztheater in Munich. Ibsen himself was in attendance, although he remained back-stage. The play has been canonized as a masterpiece within the genres of literary realism, nineteenth century theatre, and world drama. Ibsen mainly wrote realistic plays until his forays into modern drama. Hedda Gabler dramatizes the experiences of the title character, Hedda, the daughter of a general, who is trapped in a marriage and a house that she does not want. Overall, the title character for Hedda Gabler is considered one of the great dramatic roles in theater. The year following its publication, the play received negative feedback and reviews. Hedda Gabler has been described as a female variation of Hamlet.

Sir Trevor Robert Nunn is an English theatre director. He has been the artistic director for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and, currently, the Theatre Royal Haymarket. He has directed dramas for the stage, including Macbeth, as well as opera and musicals, such as Cats (1981) and Les Misérables (1985).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiona Shaw</span> Irish actress (born 1958)

Fiona Shaw is an Irish film and theatre actress. She did extensive work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, as well as in film and television. In 2020, she was listed at No. 29 on The Irish Times list of Ireland's greatest film actors. She was made an Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peggy Ashcroft</span> English actress (1907–1991)

Dame Edith Margaret Emily Ashcroft, known professionally as Peggy Ashcroft, was an English actress whose career spanned more than 60 years.

Sir Antony Sher was a British actor, writer and theatre director of South African origin. A two-time Laurence Olivier Award winner and a four-time nominee, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1982 and toured in many roles, as well as appearing on film and television. In 2001, he starred in his cousin Ronald Harwood's play Mahler's Conversion, and said that the story of a composer sacrificing his faith for his career echoed his own identity struggles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Richardson</span> Scottish actor (1934–2007)

Ian William Richardson was a British actor from Edinburgh, Scotland. He was best known for his portrayal of machiavellian Tory politician Francis Urquhart in the BBC's House of Cards (1990–1995) television trilogy, as well as the pivotal spy Bill Haydon in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979). Other notable screen work included a portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in two films, as well as significant roles in Brazil, M. Butterfly, and Dark City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Pennington</span> British actor (born 1943)

Michael Vivian Fyfe Pennington is an English actor, director and writer. Together with director Michael Bogdanov, he founded the English Shakespeare Company in 1986 and was its Joint Artistic Director until 1992. He has written ten books, directed in the UK, US, Romania and Japan, and is an Honorary Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He is best known for his role as Moff Jerjerrod in the original Star Wars trilogy film Return of the Jedi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frances de la Tour</span> English actress (born 1944)

Frances J. de Lautour, better known as Frances de la Tour, is an English actress. She is known for her role as Miss Ruth Jones in the television sitcom Rising Damp from 1974 until 1978. She is a Tony Award winner and three-time Olivier Award winner.

Josette Patricia Simon is a British actor. She trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and played the part of Dayna Mellanby in the third and fourth series of the television sci-fi series Blake's 7 from 1980 to 1981. First performing as a 14-year-old, in the choir for the world premiere of the finalized Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, she has continued a career in stage productions, appearing in 50 Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) productions, from the single press night performance as a featured character in Salvation Now at the Warehouse theatre in 1982, through to playing Cleopatra in a six-month run of Antony and Cleopatra at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 2017. The first black woman in an RSC play when she appeared in Salvation Now, Simon has been at the forefront of colour-blind casting, playing roles traditionally taken by white actors, including Maggie, a character that is thought to be based on Marilyn Monroe, in Arthur Miller's After the Fall at the Royal National Theatre in 1990.

Clifford Williams was a Welsh theatre director and stage actor. He was born in Cardiff, Wales, and died in London, England.

Alexandra Gilbreath is an English actress, born in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire and trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harriet Walter</span> British actress (born 1950)

Dame Harriet Mary Walter is a British actress. She has performed on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and received an Olivier Award, and nominations for a Tony Award, five Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2011, Walter was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to drama.

Jeffery Kissoon is an actor with credits in British theatre, television, film and radio. He has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company at venues such as the Royal National Theatre, under directors including Peter Brook, Peter Hall, Robert Lepage, Janet Suzman, Calixto Bieito and Nicholas Hytner. He has acted in genres from Shakespeare and modern theatre to television drama and science fiction, playing a range of both leading and supporting roles, from Mark Antony in Antony and Cleopatra and Prospero and Caliban in The Tempest, to Malcolm X in The Meeting and Mr Kennedy in the children's TV series Grange Hill.

Lisa Dillon is an English actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irene Worth</span> American actress (1916–2002)

Irene Worth, CBE, born Harriett Elizabeth Abrams, was an American stage and screen actress who became one of the leading stars of the British and American theatre. She pronounced her first name with three syllables: "I-REE-nee".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eve Best</span> British actress (born 1971)

Emily "Eve" Best is an English actress and director. She is known for her television roles as Dr Eleanor O'Hara in the Showtime series Nurse Jackie (2009–2013), First Lady Dolley Madison in the American Experience television special (2011), Monica Chatwin in the BBC miniseries The Honourable Woman (2014) and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen in HBO's House of the Dragon. She also played Wallis Simpson in the 2010 film The King's Speech.

Thelma Holt is a British theatre producer and former actress.

Emily Richard is a British actress and a former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Antony and Cleopatra is a 1974 videotaped television production of William Shakespeare's 1606 play of the same name, produced by ATV starring Richard Johnson as Mark Antony, Janet Suzman as Cleopatra, and Patrick Stewart as Enobarbus. It was directed by Jon Scoffield and is an adaptation of Trevor Nunn's Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) production of the play. It features then-little-known Ben Kingsley and Tim Pigott-Smith in small roles.

References

  1. Rose, Mike (9 February 2023). "Today's famous birthdays list for February 9, 2023 includes celebrities Michael B. Jordan, Tom Hiddleston". Cleveland.com . Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  2. "Janet Suzman Biography (1939–)". filmreference.com. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  3. "It's difficult to describe the grief" [ dead link ], Times Online
  4. 1 2 3 "Suzman, Janet (1939–)". Encyclopedia.com . Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  5. Alberge, Dalya; Brown, Mark (8 December 2014). "Actor Janet Suzman criticised for calling theatre 'a white invention'". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  6. "No. 59808". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 June 2011. p. 7.
  7. "Forsyth knighthood heads honours". BBC News. 11 June 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  8. "Meet The Team" Archived 11 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine , LIFT. Retrieved 9 August 2016.