Performers in Wales
| Category: Actor |
| Guy Masterson |
London |
 |
| to Guy Masterson |
| Guy's web site: www.guymasterson.com |
| Born Guy Mastroianni to a Welsh mother and Italian/American father, he was educated at Christ's Hospital School, Sussex and then at the University of Wales, Cardiff where he graduated with BSc Joint Honours in Biochemistry & Chemistry. In 1982 he emigrated to the USA and worked in hotel and restaurant management until 1984 when he became a carpenter to support acting tuition at U.C.L.A. Between 1985-89 he performed in over twenty plays in Los Angeles: Highlights include: The Caretaker (Mick), City Gents (Stanley), The Elephant Man (Ross), Othello (Iago), Hamlet (Title), The Taming Of The Shrew (Petruchio), Henry V (Title), and Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio). He (regrettably) 'anglicised' his name to "Masterson" in 1986. In 1989 he returned to the UK to attend LAMDA where he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Theatre. In 1991 he formed Guy Masterson Productions to produce Peter Flannery's The Boy's Own Story which he the toured throughout the UK until 1993. From late 1992, he appeared in Cyrano De Bergerac Bellerose/Lignire) with Robert Lindsay at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, West End which an for 9 months. From late 1993 until the present, he has produced and performed in solo versions of Under Milk Wood, Animal Farm, A Soldier's Song, and Fern Hill and Other Dylan Thomas, all of which have toured extensively on the UK and international circuits. The latter (Fern Hill) premiered at Edinburgh 2001 and garnered him the coveted Stage Award for Best Actor. Soon afterwards, he took the part of the Narrator in Theatr Clwyd's full cast production of Under Milk Wood, directed by Terry Hands, for their Centenary Celebration season. In 2002 he produced and toured an eight month 100+ National tour of Oleanna (John). Since 1997, he has developed extensive ties with New Zealand: His first appearances there were at Downstage Theatre in Wellington and at The Taranaki International Arts Festival with Animal Farm and Under Milk Wood. In 1999 he returned to present A Soldier's Song, Shylock, Animal Farm and Under Milk Wood for a 17 city tour including 3 weeks at the Herald Theatre in Auckland (presented by Tim Balme & Katie Wolf for Tasman Ray). In 2000, he presented Adolf at the NZ International Arts Festival. In 2001 he returned to direct Ray Henwood in Playing Burton. In 2003, he again played Circa Theatre in Wellington and the Taranki Arts Festival with Fern Hill. and in 2004 he presented and performed in his own acclaimed production of 12 Angry Men at the NZ International Festival. He has also succes fully presented several award winning NZ works at the Edinburgh Fringe including Tim Balme's The Ballad of Jimmy Costello (1997), Skin Tight (1998), Krishnan's Dairy and Bare (1999), No.2 (2000), Filler Up! (2001), Blowing It and The Story of Funk (2003) His extensive theatrical commitments have largely prevented him working in other media, however, most recent televisual work includes Dirty War for the BBC, three episodes of Dennis Potter's Cold Lazarus, several commercials and improvised comedy in Brass Eye with Chris Morris (the episode that was banned from broadcast for 6 years!). For Edinburgh 2003, he collaborated with composer Matt Clifford to add music to his acclaimed production of Under Milk Wood and then embarked on a three month Autumn tour of the UK to mark the 50th Anniversary of Dylan Thomas' death. His production of 12 Angry Men, became the biggest grossing drama of all time at the Edinburgh Festival and, in recognition of this and of his outstanding contribution to the Festival over 10 years, he was awarded the 3rd Jack Tinker Memorial, SPIRIT OF THE FRINGE Award. He also received a second nomination for Best Actor from the Stage for his revamped Under Milk Wood. Directorial credits include: 12 Angry Men, Goering's Defence, A Slight Tilt To The Left, Resolution, Adolf, Mom I'm Not A Lawyer, All Words For Sex, Playing Burton (UK & NZ productions), Bye Bye Blackbird, The House Of Correction and The Private Ear & The Public Eye. In February 2004, 12 Angry Men went to the International festivals of Perth, Adelaide and New Zealand to huge acclaim and Guy is due to direct a new Australian company in the same play opening in Brisbane in October 2004. For the Edinburgh Festival 2004 Guy is due to direct One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest for the Really Useful Group and Borge Again! with Rainer Hersch. As a freelance critic and feature writer he has been published in The Herald, The Guardian, The Scotsman and The Stage, The Dominion (NZ), The Times of India, and The South China Morning Post (Hong Kong). He is married to Brigitta and father to Indigo. |