Sir Samuel Alexander Mendes CBE (born 1 August 1965) is an English film and stage director, producer and screenwriter. In theatre, he is known for his dark re-inventions of the stage musicals Cabaret (1994), Oliver! (1994), Company (1995), and Gypsy (2003). He directed an original West End stage musical for the first time with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2013).
For directing the play The Ferryman, Mendes was awarded the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play in 2019.
Joanna Lumley Says Women Would Be Shut Out Of “Weird” Gender-Neutral Awards
deadline.comJoanna Lumley, the BAFTA-winning British actress, has said that women would lose out if award ceremonies switched to gender-neutral prizes.
The Absolutely Fabulous and Paddington performer said she was unsure about the drift away from segregating awards on the basis of gender, saying it was “a bit weird.” Ceremonies including the Brit awards have embraced gender-neutral categories, while BAFTA has said it is actively considering the issue.
Emma Corrin, who identifies as non-binary, is a vocal supporter. Lumley is less sweet on the idea, telling TalkTV: “I know that if my name was just put up as best actor against lots of men, I wouldn’t have a chance.
But as best actress, you might.” The Brits was criticized this year after its award for artist of the year featured an all-male list of nominees, including Stormzy and Harry Styles.
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