Siân Phillips | |
|---|---|
 Phillips in 2022 | |
| Born | Jane Elizabeth Ailwên Phillips (1933-05-14)14 May 1933 (age 91) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1944–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2, includingKate O'Toole |
Dame Jane Elizabeth Ailwên Phillips (born 14 May 1933), known professionally asSiân Phillips (/ʃɑːn/SHAHN), is a British actress fromGwaun-Cae-Gurwen,Wales. Her early career consisted primarily of stage roles, including the title roles inIbsen'sHedda Gabler andGeorge Bernard Shaw'sSaint Joan. In the 1960s, she started taking on more roles in television and film. She is particularly known for her performance asLivia in the 1976BBC television seriesI, Claudius, for which she was awarded aBAFTA and aRoyal Television Society award. She was nominated for a Tony Award and Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance asMarlene Dietrich inMarlene.
Phillips was born on 14 May 1933 inGwaun-Cae-Gurwen, the daughter of Sally (née Thomas), a teacher, and David Phillips, a steelworker who became a policeman.[1] She is aWelsh-speaker: in the first volume of her autobiographyPrivate Faces (1999) she notes that she spoke only Welsh for much of her childhood, learning English by listening to the radio.[2][3]
Phillips attendedPontardawe Grammar School and originally was known there as Jane, but her Welsh teacher called her Siân, the Welsh form of Jane.[4][5] Later she read English and Philosophy atUniversity College Cardiff.
Phillips graduated from the University of Wales in 1955. She enteredRADA with a scholarship in September 1955, the same year asDiana Rigg andGlenda Jackson.[6][7] She won the Bancroft Gold Medal forHedda Gabler and was offered work in Hollywood when she left RADA.[8] While still a student, she was offered three film contracts to work for an extended period of time in the United States, but she declined, preferring to work on stage.[9]
Phillips began acting professionally at the age of 11 with theHome Service of BBC Radio in Wales. At the same age she won her first speech-and-drama award for her performance at theNational Eisteddfod held atLlandybïe in 1944, where she and a school friend played the parts of two elderly men in a dramatic duologue.
She made her first British television appearance at 17 and won a Welsh acting award at 18. In 1953, while still a student at University College, Cardiff she worked as a newsreader and announcer for the BBC in Wales and toured Wales in Welsh-language productions of theWelsh Arts Council.[7][8][4]
From 1953 to 1955, Phillips was a member of theBBC Repertory Company and theNational Theatre Company and toured Wales performing Welsh and English plays for the Welsh Arts Council. For theNottingham Playhouse in 1958, she was Masha inThree Sisters. She performed as Princess Siwan inSaunders Lewis'sThe King's Daughter at theHampstead Theatre Club in 1959 and as Katherine inTaming of the Shrew for theOxford Playhouse in 1960. She was Princess Siwan again in the BBC's production ofSiwan: The King's Daughter alongsidePeter O'Toole with Emyr Humphrys as producer. It was broadcast on BBC One (Wales only) on 1 March 1960.[10] From October 1958 to April 1959, she wascompere of theLand of Song (Gwlad y Gân) monthly programme at TWW (Television Wales and the West) Channel 10 with baritoneIvor Emmanuel.[11]
She made her first appearance on the London stage in 1957 when she appeared inHermann Sudermann'sMagda for RADA.[12]Magda, about an opera diva, was her first real success in London. The play did well and benefited her career greatly; although she was only a student at the time, she was the first sinceSarah Bernhardt to play the role.[13]
In 1957, Phillips performed the title role in Ibsen'sHedda Gabler.[14][3][15] West End opening at The Duke of York's Theatre, December 3, 1957, withFredrik Ohlsson asTesman. They also performed at Det Nye Teatret in Oslo and at The Vanbrugh,RADA .Many sources consider this her London stage debut but she actually didMagda beforeHedda Gabler.[9] In September 1958, she was performing as Margaret Muir in John Hall'sThe Holiday atOxford New Theatre.[14]
In May 1958, Phillips performed as Joan in a production of Shaw'sSaint Joan by Bryan Bailey, at theBelgrade Theatre in Coventry, which had opened just six weeks before. An observer described her performance: "Sian Phillips' portrayal of Joan defies the law of averages, since, after seeing Siobhan McKenna in the 1955 Arts Theatre production, I reckoned it impossible to equal within half a century. Like the Irish girl, the Welsh girl is perfect.... 'This girl doesn't act Joan – she is Joan.' In short, perfection."[16]
She was Julia in the Royal Shakespeare Company's 1960–1961 version ofThe Duchess of Malfi.[3] Her Royal Shakespeare Company performances are:
Her long career has included many films and television programmes, but she is perhaps best known for starring asLivia in the popularBBC adaptation ofRobert Graves's novelI, Claudius (BBC2, 1976), for which she won the 1977BAFTA Television Award for Best Actress, and for many appearances on the original run ofCall My Bluff. She also appeared opposite her then-husband Peter O'Toole andRichard Burton inBecket (1964); as Ursula Mossbank in the musical filmGoodbye, Mr. Chips (1969), again starring O'Toole; once more opposite O'Toole inMurphy's War (1971); asEmmeline Pankhurst in the TV mini-seriesShoulder to Shoulder (1974); asClementine Churchill in Southern Television'sWinston Churchill: The Wilderness Years (1981) starringRobert Hardy; as Lady Ann, the unfaithful wife ofAlec Guinness's characterGeorge Smiley, in theBBC1espionage dramasTinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979) andSmiley's People (1982), adapted fromJohn le Carré's eponymous novels; inNijinsky (1980); and as the queen Cassiopeia inClash of the Titans (1981).
Another popular role was that of theReverend MotherGaius Helen Mohiam inDavid Lynch'sDune (1984) and Charal fromEwoks: The Battle for Endor (1985). She also appeared in seasons 2 and 4 (1998 and 2000) of the Canadian TV seriesLa Femme Nikita as Adrian, the renegade founder of the powerful Section One anti-terrorist organisation. In 2001, she appeared as herself inLily Savage's Blankety Blank.[18] and inBallykissangel as faith healer Consuela Dunphy in Episode 7 ('One Born Every Minute' or 'Getting Better All the Time'). Her most recent film isThe Gigolos (2006) by Richard Bracewell, in which she played Lady James. In 2010, she appeared inNew Tricks in the episode "Coming out Ball" and in 2011 she appeared in the episode "Wild Justice" in the fifth season of the television seriesLewis. In 2017, she played Lady Yvette Bristow in the TV seriesStrike. In 2022, she appeared in the seriesMcDonald & Dodds. In 2024, Phillips portrayed Enid Meadows in theDoctor Who episode "73 Yards".[19][20]
Phillips'sWest End credits includeMarlene (in which she portrayedMarlene Dietrich),Pal Joey,Gigi andA Little Night Music. She has also appeared on the American stage inMarlene.
Her National Theatre performances have included playing the roles of Lady Britomart inMajor Barbara at theLyttelton Theatre (18 October 1982, opening night); Madam Armfeldt inA Little Night Music at theOlivier Theatre (18 September 1995, opening night); Hope inIn Bed With Magritte (1 December 1995, opening night);[21] and Madame Neilsen in "Les Blancs" at the Olivier Theatre in 2016.[22]
She provided spoken-word backing to a track onRufus Wainwright's 2007 albumRelease the Stars and appeared live with him at theOld Vic Theatre in London on 31 May/1 June 2007. In 2009 Phillips starred in London's West End production ofCalendar Girls. Phillips played Juliet oppositeMichael Byrne's Romeo inJuliet and her Romeo at theBristol Old Vic from 10 March to 24 April 2010.[23]
In January 2011, she appeared in a new cabaret show,Crossing Borders, atWilton's Music Hall in London. One review said: "Her cabaret shows are always of the more traditional type. She's had a long and very impressive career, and her show followed its progression, with backstage anecdotes about the people she's met and worked with along the way. It may not be edgy, but it's a truly delightful evening, by a truly delightful performer, in a truly delightful venue."[24]
In 2015, she played the lead characterFania Fénelon in theArthur Miller stage version ofPlaying for Time atSheffield Theatres.[25]
In 2024, Phillips reflected on her life and career, for the first time, inSiân Phillips at 90, broadcast onBBC One on 1 March. The documentary includes Philips recounting, with candour, the difficulties in the later part of her marriage to O'Toole, which culminated in the ultimatum that she should leave the family home, without their two children, within the space of four hours.[26][27][28]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Golden Globe Award | Best Supporting Actress | Goodbye, Mr. Chips | Nominated | |
| 1970 | National Society of Film Critics | Best Supporting Actress | Goodbye, Mr. Chips | Won | |
| 1976 | BAFTA TV Award | Best Actress | I, Claudius andHow Green Was My Valley | Won | |
| 1977 | Royal Television Society | Best Performance | I, Claudius | Won | |
| 1980 | Olivier Award | Best Actress in a Musical | Pal Joey | Nominated | |
| 1996 | Olivier Award | Best Supporting Performance in a Musical | A Little Night Music | Nominated | |
| 1998 | Olivier Award | Best Actress in a Musical | Marlene | Nominated | |
| 1999 | Tony Award | Best Actress in a Musical | Marlene | Nominated | [29] |
| 2001 | BAFTA Cymru (Wales) | Special Award | Siân Phillips | Won | |
| 2013 | Olivier Award | Best Supporting Performance in a Musical | Cabaret | Nominated |
In January 2018, Phillips was recognised for her career spanning more than 70 years at theBBC Audio Drama Awards, and was given a Radio Lifetime Achievement Award.[30]
Phillips was appointedCommander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the2000 Birthday Honours and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the2016 New Year Honours for services to drama.[31][32]
Since 2005, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Cymru (BAFTA in Wales) has presented the Tlws Sian Phillips Award to a Welshman or woman who has made a significant contribution in either a major feature film or network television programme.[33][34]
In 2024, she andJudi Dench became the first female members of theGarrick Club.[35]
Phillips's first husband was Donald Roy, a post-graduate student at the University of Wales, who later established the Drama Department at theUniversity of Hull[36] and after whom the University Theatre is named.[37] They were married in 1956 and divorced in 1959.[38]
Already pregnant with their first child, Phillips marriedPeter O'Toole in December 1959. They had two daughters,[39][40] includingKate O'Toole. The couple divorced in 1979, and Phillips wrote about this tempestuous period of her life inPublic Places, the second volume of her autobiography.
Her third husband was actorRobin Sachs, who was 17 years her junior. Their relationship began in 1975. They were married on Christmas Eve 1979, shortly after her divorce from O'Toole. Phillips and Sachs divorced in 1991.[38]
Her great aunt was the WelshevangelistRosina Davies.[41]
She is a patron of theBird College of Dance, Music & Theatre Performance, based in Sidcup, Greater London.
Her two volumes of autobiography –Private Faces andPublic Places – were published in 1999 and 2001, respectively.[38]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | The Longest Day | WRNS Officer (Women's Royal Naval Service) | |
| 1964 | Becket | Gwendolen | |
| 1965 | Young Cassidy | Ella | |
| 1969 | Laughter in the Dark | Lady Pamela More | |
| Goodbye, Mr. Chips | Ursula Mossbank | ||
| 1971 | Murphy's War | Hayden | |
| Under Milk Wood | Mrs. Ogmore-Pritchard | ||
| 1980 | Nijinsky | Lady Ripon | |
| 1981 | Clash of the Titans | Cassiopeia | |
| 1984 | Dune | Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam | |
| 1985 | The Doctor and the Devils | Annabella Rock | |
| 1989 | Valmont | Madame de Volanges | |
| 1993 | The Age of Innocence | Mrs. Archer | |
| 1997 | House of America | Mam | |
| 2006 | The Gigolos | Baroness James | |
| 2012 | Love Song | Maggie | |
| 2016 | Checkmate | Prosperity | |
| 2017 | Hochelaga, Land of Souls | Sarah Walker | |
| 2018 | Voyageuse | Erica | Voice |
| Miss Dalí | Anna Maria | ||
| 2019 | Be Happy! | Maria | |
| 2020 | Dream Horse | Maureen | |
| Summerland | Margaret Corey | ||
| A Christmas Carol | Narrator / Grandmother | [42] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Television Playwright | Alice Blackwell | Episode: "A Game for Eskimos" |
| 1958 | Granite | Judith | TV film |
| 1959 | A Quiet Man | Megan | TV film |
| 1959 | BBC Sunday Night Theatre | Countess Else von Dietlof | Episode: "Treason" |
| 1959 | ITV Television Playhouse | Barbara | Episode: "The Breaking Point" |
| 1960 | Siwan the Kings Daughter | Siwan | TV film |
| 1961 | Theatre Night | Bertha | Episode: "Onedine" |
| 1963 | It Happened Like This | Paula | Episode: "Coincidence" |
| 1963 | Drama 61-67 | Carole Blair | Episode: "Drama '63: This Is Not King's Cross" |
| 1964 | Espionage | Anna | Episode: "A Free Agent" |
| 1974 | Shoulder to Shoulder | Emmeline Pankhurst | |
| 1975 | How Green Was My Valley | Beth Morgan | |
| 1976 | I, Claudius | Livia | |
| 1978 | Off to Philadelphia in the Morning | Lina Van Elyn | |
| 1979 | Barriers | Mrs Dalgleish | |
| 1979 | Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy | Ann Smiley | |
| 1981 | Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years | Clementine Churchill | |
| 1982 | Smiley's People | Ann Smiley | |
| 1985 | Ewoks: The Battle for Endor | Charal | TV film |
| 1987 | A Killing on the Exchange | Isobel Makepeace | |
| 1987 | The Two Mrs. Grenvilles | Duchess of Windsor | |
| 1991 | The Chestnut Soldier | Nain | |
| 1992 | The Borrowers | Mrs. Driver | |
| 1993 | Heidi | Frau Sesemann | |
| 1998 | Alice through the Looking Glass | Red Queen | TV film |
| 1998 | The Scold's Bridle | Mathilda Gillespie | BBC TV Drama |
| 1999 | Aristocrats | Narrator / OlderLady Emily Lennox | TV Mini Series |
| 2001 | Ballykissangel | Consuela Dunphy | Episode: "Getting Better All the Time" |
| 2003 | The Last Detective | Vera Dulciman | Episode: "Moonlight" |
| 2003 | Arena | Narrator | Episode: "Alec Guinness: A Secret Man" |
| 2005 | The Murder Room | Marie Strickland | 2 episodes |
| 2006 | Midsomer Murders | Lady Annabel Butler | Episode: "Vixen's Run" |
| 2007 | Kitchen | Morag White | TV film |
| 2007 | Holby City | Lily Sinclair | Episode: "Something's Gotta Give" |
| 2008 | Agatha Christie's Poirot | Mrs. Upward | Episode: "Mrs McGinty's Dead" |
| 2008 | Shortland Street | Vivienne Lindstrom | 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Missing | Beth Murphy | Episode: #2.7 |
| 2010 | New Tricks | Lady Elizabeth Linden Warner | Episode: "Coming Out Ball" |
| 2011 | Lewis | Adele Goffe | Episode: "Wild Justice" |
| 2013 | Playhouse Presents | May | Episode: "Gifted" |
| 2014 | Under Milk Wood | Mrs. Pugh | TV film |
| 2017 | Casualty | Bridget Haas | Episode: "Reap the Whirlwind - Part One" |
| 2017 | Strike | Lady Yvette Bristow | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | Doctors | Joan Bartlett | Episode: "Face-Off" |
| 2020–2021 | Keeping Faith | Judge Owens | 4 episodes |
| 2021 | Silent Witness | Beattie Elleston | 2 episodes |
| 2022 | McDonald & Dodds | Agnes Gillian | Episode: "Belvedere" |
| 2023 | Good Omens | Mrs. Henderson | Episode: #2.4 |
| 2023 | The Chelsea Detective | Grandma Dix | Episode: #2.3 |
| 2024 | Doctor Who | Enid Meadows | Episode: "73 Yards" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom | Boddly | Voice |
| 2020 | World of Warcraft: Shadowlands | Overseer Kah-Delen | Voice |
O'Toole made my life impossible. He dragged the court case on for three years and in the end it was all over. And I didn't ask for anything. He kept all my jewellery, everything, and the art, what little art I possessed there, he kept everything, and my furniture. And I just started all over again.
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