Michael Bogdanov
Michael Bogdanov | |
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Born | Michael Bogdin 15 December 1938 |
Died | 16 April 2017 | (aged 78)
Occupation | Theatre director |
Spouses |
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Michael Bogdanov (15 December 1938 – 16 April 2017) was a British theatre director known for his work with new plays, modern reinterpretations of Shakespeare, musicals and work for young people.[1]
Early years
Bogdanov was born Michael Bogdin in
Career
Bogdanov directed eight productions for the
During the 1980s, Bogdanov also worked internationally, directing
In 1986, Bogdanov and actor
.He continued to direct productions around the world in the 1990s, including a revival of the musical
From 2002 to 2004, Bogdanov took charge of productions at the Ludlow Castle Open Air Theatre as part of the annual Ludlow Festival. With an ensemble of mainly Welsh players, he produced The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Winter's Tale, The Merchant of Venice, Cymbeline and Twelfth Night.
In 2003, he was involved in setting up the Wales Theatre Company, based in Swansea and Cardiff, taking on the position of artistic director. He directed productions of both Shakespeare and new works, including Twelfth Night, Cymbeline, The Merchant of Venice and Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood. In 2005, he directed the critically acclaimed musical, Amazing Grace, at Swansea Grand Theatre and the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, and the dual Welsh and English language productions of Hamlet, with the same cast, at The Swansea Grand and Cardiff's New Theatre. The new Welsh Language translation by Gareth Miles was commissioned by the Arts Council of Wales.
Among his many TV credits are Shakespeare on the Estate, RTS Award, Bafta Nomination and A Light in the Valley, RTS Best Regional Programme Award. Bogdanov has also directed three musicals for
In 2006, Bogdanov brought his production of Mal Pope's musical Amazing Grace in Cardiff to sell-out performances at the Wales Millennium Centre, with every show ending in a standing ovation. It was the first Welsh musical on the national stage of Wales. Judith Isherwood, the centre's chief executive, said of the show's success noting: "A new musical, Amazing Grace, was presented by the Wales Theatre Company — Welsh writers, and a very Welsh story about a revivalist preacher. It had a huge response. I’ve had letters from people saying how emotional they felt about seeing Welsh history re-created on their national stage".[3] The show was described by critic Michael Kelligan as being the "first great Welsh musical".[4]
Bogdanov returned to musical theatre in 2009, directing a musical version of Colleen McCullough’s bestselling novel The Thorn Birds for the Wales Theatre Company. It has music by German opera composer Gloria Bruni and McCullough herself wrote the book and lyrics. It opened at the Grand Theatre, Swansea in April and then toured the UK, culminating at the Wales Millennium Centre.[needs update] This production starred Matthew Goodgame, Helen Anker and Peter Karrie.
Bogdanov continued to work extensively in Germany, above all in Hamburg, where he has won awards for productions at the Kammerspiele which include
His essays on Shakespeare were published in a critically acclaimed book: Shakespeare: The Director's Cut; in 2003, followed by a second volume focusing on the histories in 2005.
Bogdanov died of a heart attack on 16 April 2017, aged 78.[6]
References
- ^ "Introduction - Michael Bogdanov". Archived from the original on 18 April 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017. Michael Bogdanov's website
- ^ Mark Lawson "Passion play", The Guardian, 28 October 2005.
- ^ The Times. (http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,14932-2479549,00.html)
- ^ "Review of Amazing Grace from the theatre dance and drama in Wales web site".
- ^ "The Stage / News / Musical version of McCullough's The Thorn Birds to tour UK". Archived from the original on 12 June 2011.
- ^ "Theatre director Michael Bogdanov dies aged 78". South-West Wales: BBC News. 18 April 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
External links
- Michael Bogdanov at IMDb