Alexi Kaye Campbell
Alexi Kaye Campbell is an award winning playwright and screenwriter.
Contents
Personal life
Alexi Kaye Campbell was born Alexi Komondouros in Athens, Greece, to a Greek father and British mother. He was brought up in Athens and went to Greek primary school, then Campion School, the British International school in Athens. After graduating from Boston University with a degree in English and American Literature, Kaye Campbell went on to study acting at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Kaye Campbell has lived with his partner, the director Dominic Cooke since 1997.
Acting
Before turning to writing Kaye Campbell worked for many years as an actor. His work included seasons at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and with Oxford Stage Company, Chichester Festival Theatre, The Royal Court, Hampstead Theatre and with Shared Experience.
Writing
In November 2008 Kaye Campbell’s first play, The Pride, was produced for the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs for which he was awarded The Critics' Circle Prize for Most Promising Playwright and the John Whiting Award for Best New Play. The production, directed by Jamie Lloyd, was also awarded a Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an affiliate theatre.
In January 2010 The Pride transferred to America and was produced for the MCC Theater in New York, directed by Joe Mantello. The cast included Ben Whishaw, Andrea Riseborough and Hugh Dancy. The play won the GLAAD award for Best New Play. Since then , 'The Pride' has been produced in many theatres worldwide, including in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Greece, and Germany.
Kaye Campbell’s second play, Apologia, was produced at The Bush Theatre in the summer of 2009, directed by Josie Rourke. Apologia was short-listed for The John Whiting Award and nominated for Best Theatre Play at the Writers Guild Awards 2009. 'Apologia' was also produced at the MTC Theatre in Melbourne, Australia, with Robyn Nevin playing the part of Kristin.
Kaye Campbell's third play The Faith Machine premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in August 2011 directed by Jamie Lloyd and starring Hayley Atwell and Ian McDiarmid.
His fourth play Bracken Moor premiered at the Tricycle Theatre, London in June 2013, directed by Polly Teale.
In autumn 2013 a revival of The Pride, directed by Jamie Lloyd, enjoyed a successful run in the West End before embarking on a national tour.
His new play, Sunset at the Villa Thalia, will premiere at the National Theatre in London in May 2016, in a production directed by Simon Godwin and starring Ben Miles and Elizabeth McGovern.
Kaye Campbell's first film script, Woman in Gold, produced by BBC Films and The Weinstein Company, was directed by Simon Curtis and stars Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds. It was the highest earning independent film of 2015.
Plays
The Pride (2008) - Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, London, 2008; MCC Theatre, New York, 2010; Crucible Theatre (Studio Theatre), Sheffield, 2011
Apologia (2009) - The Bush Theatre, London, 2009
The Faith Machine (2011) - Royal Court Theatre Downstairs, London, 2011
Bracken Moor (2013) - Shared Experience & Tricycle Theatre, London, 2013
Sunset at the Villa Thalia (2016) National Theatre, London, 2016
Films
Woman in Gold (2015)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Won | Critics' Circle Theatre Award | Most Promising Playwright (The Pride) |
| 2009 | Won | John Whiting Award | Best New Play (The Pride) |
| 2009 | Won | Laurence Olivier Award | Outstanding Achievement in an affiliate theatre (The Pride) |
| 2009 | Nomination | Evening Standard Award - The Charles Wintour Award | Most Promising Playwright (The Pride) |
| 2009 | Nomination | Writers Guild Award | Best New Play (Apologia) |
| 2010 | Nomination | Drama League Award | Distinguished Production of a Play (The Pride) |
| 2010 | Nomination | Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play (The Pride) |
| 2011 | Won | GLAAD Award | Outstanding New York Theatre (The Pride) |
