Mark Dornford-May
Encyclopedia
Mark Dornford-May is a British
-born South African theatre and film director.
. He worked mainly with Terry Hands
on the acclaimed productions of "Coriolanus
" and "The Duchess of Malfi
" as well as directing "The Invisible Man
" and coordinating "The Plays Banned" by Television Season at the then RSC Workhouse Theatre. He the left the RSC to found The Playwrights Company at Bristol Old Vic
, specialising in the creation of new work and supported and funded by Tom Stoppard
. In 1981 he was appointed Artistic Director of Solent Peoples Theatre commissioning Peter Tersen’s, "We were all heros then", and Steve Gooch’s, "Fast One". He moved to Stoke on Trent to work at the Victoria Theatre with Peter Cheesman. The artistic emphasis placed on music and the skills of the actor were central to the work at Stoke and began to form the central focus of Dornford-May’s work. It is also at Stoke that his deep passionate commitment to theatre as a vehicle for social change began to become central to all his work. Together with Peter Cheesman he helped to oversee the rebuilding of the New Vic in Stoke.
Following Stoke, Dornford-May went into training of actors for a number of years working at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
and mainly at The Central School of Speech and Drama where he worked alongside Mark Wing Davey running the acting course.
In the mid-1990s Dornford-May formed Broomhill Opera with Music Director Charles Hazlewood
. This company restored and revived Wilton’s Music Hall in the East End of London. The Music Hall had been derelict for many years but through Dornford-May the first phase of its restoration was undertaken allowing it to become a public space once more. Simon Callow
, Sir Jonathan Miller, Rory Bremner
, Harold Pinter
and ir John Gielgud all worked in the Music Hall once it was semi-restored.
In 2000, Dornford-May and Charles Hazlewood travelled to South Africa where they held auditions across the country, auditioning over 2000 individuals to form the lyric theatre company Dimpho Di Kopane
(DDK). Their theatre productions of The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso, Carmen, The Snow Queen and Ibali looTsotsi - The Beggar's Opera, toured the world to sold out houses and great critical acclaim.
Dornford-May and the company adapted the stage production of Carmen, to create the film U-Carmen eKhayelitsha
, starring Pauline Malefane in the title role. The film garnered a number of awards, including the Golden Bear
for Best Film at the Berlin Film Festival in 2005.
The company’s second feature film, Son of Man
, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival
in the US in 2005.
In 2006, Dornford-May co-founded the theatre company Isango Ensemble. Their first productions of The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo and A Christmas Carol – iKrismas Kherol premiered at the Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, before going on to a sold-out run at the Young Vic Theatre. Both productions were awarded the Whatsonstage Theatre Goers Choice Award for Best Off-West End Production. The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo transferred to the Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End where it was awarded the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo continues to tour the world and has performed in London, Chichester and Canterbury in the UK, Dublin, Tokyo, Singapore, Johannesburg, Paris and Holland. In Paris the production had a sold-out run at the Chatelet du Theatre and was awarded the Globes de Cristal for Best Opera.
In 2007, Dornford-May and Isango Ensemble reworked The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso which premiered at the Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, and had a critically acclaimed West End season at the Garrick Theatre, London.
From June 2009 to Jan 2010, Dornford-May oversaw the design and development of the Fugard Theatre, Cape Town. The theatre opened to great acclaim on 12 February 2010 with a performance of The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo in front of guests including the Deputy President of South Africa. The Isango Ensemble company was the company in residence in 2010 and premiered two new productions, Aesop’s Fables, an adaptation of Peter Terson’s script, and The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists – Izigwili Ezidlakazelayo, a new version of which was written by Stephen Lowe
for the company.
In 2011, Dornford-May and Isango Ensemble have announced that they will develop their own theatre in the townships surrounding Cape Town. They have also announced Ian McKellen
as patron of the company. They plan to premiere two new productions in 2011.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-born South African theatre and film director.
Early life
Mark Dornford-May was born on his Grandfathers farm near Eastoft in Yorkshire. His paternal Grandfather was a miner on the Yorkshire coalfields. His Mother worked as a school teacher and his Father was Drama Adviser for Chesire County Council and was awarded an MBE for services to theatre in the 1980s. Dornford-May is the eldest of three brothers.Personal life
In 2002 he married South African actress and singer Pauline Malefane. Together they have three children. Dornford-May also has a child from a previous relationship. In 2004 he became a permanent resident of South Africa and in 2007 he was officially inducted into the Sotho clan of his wife’s family.Career
After reading Drama at the Bristol University, Dornford-May was offered an Assistant Directorship with the Royal Shakespeare CompanyRoyal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
. He worked mainly with Terry Hands
Terry Hands
Terence David Hands is an English theatre director. He ran the Royal Shakespeare Company for 20 years during one of its most successful periods.-Early years:...
on the acclaimed productions of "Coriolanus
Coriolanus
Gaius Marcius Coriolanus was a Roman general who is said to have lived in the 5th century BC. He received his toponymic cognomen "Coriolanus" because of his exceptional valor in a Roman siege of the Volscian city of Corioli. He was then promoted to a general...
" and "The Duchess of Malfi
The Duchess of Malfi
The Duchess of Malfi is a macabre, tragic play written by the English dramatist John Webster in 1612–13. It was first performed privately at the Blackfriars Theatre, then before a more general audience at The Globe, in 1613-14...
" as well as directing "The Invisible Man
The Invisible Man
The Invisible Man is a science fiction novella by H.G. Wells published in 1897. Wells' novel was originally serialised in Pearson's Weekly in 1897, and published as a novel the same year...
" and coordinating "The Plays Banned" by Television Season at the then RSC Workhouse Theatre. He the left the RSC to found The Playwrights Company at Bristol Old Vic
Bristol Old Vic
The Bristol Old Vic is a theatre company based at the Theatre Royal, King Street, in Bristol, England. The theatre complex includes the 1766 Theatre Royal, which claims to be the oldest continually-operating theatre in England, along with a 1970s studio theatre , offices and backstage facilities...
, specialising in the creation of new work and supported and funded by Tom Stoppard
Tom Stoppard
Sir Tom Stoppard OM, CBE, FRSL is a British playwright, knighted in 1997. He has written prolifically for TV, radio, film and stage, finding prominence with plays such as Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, Professional Foul, The Real Thing, and Rosencrantz and...
. In 1981 he was appointed Artistic Director of Solent Peoples Theatre commissioning Peter Tersen’s, "We were all heros then", and Steve Gooch’s, "Fast One". He moved to Stoke on Trent to work at the Victoria Theatre with Peter Cheesman. The artistic emphasis placed on music and the skills of the actor were central to the work at Stoke and began to form the central focus of Dornford-May’s work. It is also at Stoke that his deep passionate commitment to theatre as a vehicle for social change began to become central to all his work. Together with Peter Cheesman he helped to oversee the rebuilding of the New Vic in Stoke.
Following Stoke, Dornford-May went into training of actors for a number of years working at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art is a drama school located in London, United Kingdom. It is generally regarded as one of the most renowned drama schools in the world, and is one of the oldest drama schools in the United Kingdom, having been founded in 1904.RADA is an affiliate school of the...
and mainly at The Central School of Speech and Drama where he worked alongside Mark Wing Davey running the acting course.
In the mid-1990s Dornford-May formed Broomhill Opera with Music Director Charles Hazlewood
Charles Hazlewood
Charles Matthew Egerton Hazlewood is a British conductor and advocate for broadening access to orchestral music. Renowned for his widespread presence across the BBC, he conducts orchestras around the world, making his debut with the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Orchestra of the Age of...
. This company restored and revived Wilton’s Music Hall in the East End of London. The Music Hall had been derelict for many years but through Dornford-May the first phase of its restoration was undertaken allowing it to become a public space once more. Simon Callow
Simon Callow
Simon Phillip Hugh Callow, CBE is an English actor, writer and theatre director. He is also currently a judge on Popstar to Operastar.-Early years:...
, Sir Jonathan Miller, Rory Bremner
Rory Bremner
Roderick "Rory" Keith Ogilvy Bremner, FKC is a Scottish impressionist, playwright and comedian, noted for his work in political satire...
, Harold Pinter
Harold Pinter
Harold Pinter, CH, CBE was a Nobel Prize–winning English playwright and screenwriter. One of the most influential modern British dramatists, his writing career spanned more than 50 years. His best-known plays include The Birthday Party , The Homecoming , and Betrayal , each of which he adapted to...
and ir John Gielgud all worked in the Music Hall once it was semi-restored.
In 2000, Dornford-May and Charles Hazlewood travelled to South Africa where they held auditions across the country, auditioning over 2000 individuals to form the lyric theatre company Dimpho Di Kopane
Dimpho di Kopane
Dimpho di Kopane is a South African theatre cooperative. The company started in 2000 and currently has 32 members. It has risen to prominence in South Africa after a successful stage rendition of Bizet's Carmen which then went on to tour to the US, Australia, Canada, Turkey and the UK...
(DDK). Their theatre productions of The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso, Carmen, The Snow Queen and Ibali looTsotsi - The Beggar's Opera, toured the world to sold out houses and great critical acclaim.
Dornford-May and the company adapted the stage production of Carmen, to create the film U-Carmen eKhayelitsha
U-Carmen eKhayelitsha
U-Carmen eKhayelitsha is a 2005 South African operatic film directed and produced by Mark Dornford-May.-Production:The movie is a modern remake of Bizet's 1875 opera Carmen. It was shot entirely in Xhosa, and combines both music from the original opera with traditional African music. It takes place...
, starring Pauline Malefane in the title role. The film garnered a number of awards, including the Golden Bear
Golden Bear
According to legend, the Golden Bear was a large golden Ursus arctos. Members of the Ursus arctos species can reach masses of . The Grizzly Bear and the Kodiak Bear are North American subspecies of the Brown Bear....
for Best Film at the Berlin Film Festival in 2005.
The company’s second feature film, Son of Man
Son of man
The phrase son of man is a primarily Semitic idiom that originated in Ancient Mesopotamia, used to denote humanity or self. The phrase is also used in Judaism and Christianity. The phrase used in the Greek, translated as Son of man is ὁ υἱὸς τοὺ ἀνθρώπου...
, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
in the US in 2005.
In 2006, Dornford-May co-founded the theatre company Isango Ensemble. Their first productions of The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo and A Christmas Carol – iKrismas Kherol premiered at the Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, before going on to a sold-out run at the Young Vic Theatre. Both productions were awarded the Whatsonstage Theatre Goers Choice Award for Best Off-West End Production. The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo transferred to the Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End where it was awarded the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo continues to tour the world and has performed in London, Chichester and Canterbury in the UK, Dublin, Tokyo, Singapore, Johannesburg, Paris and Holland. In Paris the production had a sold-out run at the Chatelet du Theatre and was awarded the Globes de Cristal for Best Opera.
In 2007, Dornford-May and Isango Ensemble reworked The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso which premiered at the Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, and had a critically acclaimed West End season at the Garrick Theatre, London.
From June 2009 to Jan 2010, Dornford-May oversaw the design and development of the Fugard Theatre, Cape Town. The theatre opened to great acclaim on 12 February 2010 with a performance of The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo in front of guests including the Deputy President of South Africa. The Isango Ensemble company was the company in residence in 2010 and premiered two new productions, Aesop’s Fables, an adaptation of Peter Terson’s script, and The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists – Izigwili Ezidlakazelayo, a new version of which was written by Stephen Lowe
Stephen Lowe
Stephen Lowe is an English playwright and director.Lowe's plays have dealt with subjects ranging from the takeover of Tibet by the Chinese People's Liberation Army in 1959 to a dying DH Lawrence trying find a publisher for Lady Chatterley ; from Donald McGill postcards to Dr John Dee...
for the company.
In 2011, Dornford-May and Isango Ensemble have announced that they will develop their own theatre in the townships surrounding Cape Town. They have also announced Ian McKellen
Ian McKellen
Sir Ian Murray McKellen, CH, CBE is an English actor. He has received a Tony Award, two Academy Award nominations, and five Emmy Award nominations. His work has spanned genres from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction...
as patron of the company. They plan to premiere two new productions in 2011.