Jun 20, 20202 min read

Actor of the Week (National Treasure 1): IMELDA STAUNTON

Updated: Dec 21, 2020

Age: 64

Birthday: 9th January

Imelda Staunton, CBE is an English stage and screen actress. After training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Staunton began her career in repertory theatre in the 1970s before appearing in various theatre productions in the United Kingdom.

Reportory theatre is when a group of actors work together on a variety of different plays. The Dundee Rep is very famous for having a core group of actors who play a variety of roles in lots of different plays.

Mix Up Theatre can be seen as reportory theatre - you play a different role in different productions throughout the year but with most of the same cast from previous productions. It's a great experience to support your fellow actors and each actor discovers their range in a comfortable environment.

Staunton has performed in a variety of plays and musicals in London, winning four Olivier Awards; three for Best Actress in a Musical for her roles in the plays Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, and Gypsy, and one for Best Supporting Performance for her work in both A Chorus of Disapproval and The Corn is Green. Her other appearances on stage includes The Beggar's Opera, The Wizard of Oz, Uncle Vanya, Guys and Dolls, Entertaining Mr Sloane, and Good People.

She has been nominated for thirteen Olivier Awards throughout her stage career.

On film, Staunton drew widespread critical acclaim for her performance in the title role in Mike Leigh's Vera Drake, for which she won many awards.

However I think most of our students will recognise Staunton as one of the best villians of the Harry Potter franchise - Dolores Umbridge - where she stole the show in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.