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Simon McBurney

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Simon McBurney BIO

Simon McBurney is a British actor, writer, and director who has made a name for himself on both stage and screen. Born in Cambridge in 1957, McBurney attended the University of Cambridge before going on to study at the Jacques Lecoq School in Paris. He co-founded the theatre company Complicite in 1983, which has since become known for its innovative and visually stunning productions.
McBurney's stage work includes a number of notable productions, both with Complicite and as a solo performer. In 1997, he wrote and performed in "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" at the National Theatre, which won him an Olivier Award for Best Actor. He also wrote and directed "The Encounter," a one-man show about a National Geographic photographer lost in the Amazon rainforest, which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2015 before transferring to the West End and Broadway.
In addition to his stage work, McBurney has also appeared in a number of films and television shows. He played the role of MI6 agent Nigel in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" (2011), and appeared in "The Theory of Everything" (2014) as astrophysicist Frank Hawking. He also played the role of Archdeacon Robert in the BBC series "Rev." (2010-2014).
One of McBurney's most notable stage performances was in the Broadway production of "The Elephant Man" in 2014. McBurney played the role of Frederick Treves, a doctor who takes in John Merrick, a severely deformed man who becomes a celebrity in Victorian London. McBurney received critical acclaim for his performance, with The New Yorker calling him "mesmerizing," and The New York Times praising his "compelling, understated performance."
More recently, McBurney directed the National Theatre's production of "The Master and Margarita" in 2018. Based on the novel by Mikhail Bulgakov, the play tells the story of the devil's visit to Moscow in the 1930s. McBurney's production was praised for its inventive staging and use of technology, with The Guardian calling it "a thrilling, disorientating ride."

Simon McBurney Photos

Simon McBurney STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2016
Loren McIntyre

[Off-Broadway]
2001
Performer

Simon McBurney Productions

 
[Broadway, 2016]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Director

Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Creator

Simon McBurney Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2017 - Distinguished Performance Award

Simon McBurney, The Encounter


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Simon McBurney, The Encounter

Olivier Awards - 2013 - Best Director

Simon McBurneyThe Master And Margarita


winner
Olivier Awards - 2008 - Best New Play

Simon McBurneyA Disappearing Number

The Lortels - 2001 - Outstanding Director

Simon McBurney, Mnemonic


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Director - Play

Simon McBurney, The Chairs

Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Director - Play

Simon McBurney, The Chairs


winner
Olivier Awards - 1998 - Best Theatre Choreographer

Simon McBurneyThe Caucasian Chalk Circle

Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Direction of a Play

Simon McBurney, The Chairs

Olivier Awards - 1995 - Best Director of a Play

Simon McBurneyThe Three Lives Of Lucie Cabrol

Olivier Awards - 1995 - Best Director of a Play

Simon McBurneyThe Three Lives Of Lucie Cabrol

Olivier Awards - 1993 - Best Director of a Play

Simon McBurneyThe Street Of Crocodiles

Simon McBurney Videos

Simon McBurney News


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Review: THE MAGIC FLUTE, London Coliseum


It’s odd to watch an opera where the actual opera is an afterthought. At least that’s how it feels watching Simon McBurney’s The Magic Flute. His revival production sizzles with circus spectacle, high tech pageantry, and boundary breaking chutzpah. But underneath it all you’ll be hard pressed to find the warmth of a beating heart.

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Met Opera's Live in HD Season Concludes Next Weekend With DIE ZAUBERFLOTE


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The Metropolitan Opera's 2022�"23 Live in HD Season to Conclude With Mozart's DIE ZAUBERFLOTE (The Magic Flute)


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Simon McBurney FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Simon McBurney been in?

Simon McBurney has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Simon McBurney been in?

Simon McBurney has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Simon McBurney been nominated for?

Simon McBurney has been nominated for several awards, including the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for The Encounter, Outstanding Solo Performance at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Encounter, Best Director at the Olivier Awards for The Master And Margarita, Best New Play at the Olivier Awards for A Disappearing Number, Outstanding Director at The Lortels for Mnemonic, Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for The Chairs, Best Theatre Choreographer at the Olivier Awards for The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for The Chairs, and Best Director of a Play at the Olivier Awards for The Three Lives Of Lucie Cabrol and The Street Of Crocodiles.

What awards has Simon McBurney won?

Simon McBurney has won the Outstanding Solo Performance award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Encounter, the Best New Play award from the Olivier Awards for A Disappearing Number, the Outstanding Director - Play award from the Drama Desk Awards for The Chairs, and the Best Theatre Choreographer award from the Olivier Awards for The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

How many shows has Simon McBurney written?

Simon McBurney has written 3 shows including Mnemonic (Playwright), The Encounter (Writer), The Kid Stays in the Picture (Creator).

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