Age: 65
female
Katherine Matilda Swinton (born November 5, 1960) is an award-winning British actress of Scottish descent, known for her versatile roles in independent films and blockbusters. She is a recipient various accolades throughout her long career, including an Academy Award and two BAFTA Awards, in addition to being nominated for three Golden Globe Awards and five Screen Actors Guild Awards. Swinton began her career by appearing in experimental films starting with Caravaggio (1986), followed by The Last of England (1988), War Requiem (1989), and The Garden (1990). She won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival for her portrayal of Isabella of France in Edward II (1991). She next starred in Sally Potter's Orlando (1992), for which she received a nomination for the European Film Award for Best Actress. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance in The Deep End (2001), and followed this with appearances in Vanilla Sky (2001), Adaptation (2002), Constantine (2005), Julia (2008), and I Am Love (2009). For the film Young Adam (2003), she won the British Academy Scotland Award for Best Actress. Her performance in Michael Clayton (2007) won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Additionally, she won the European Film Award for Best Actress and received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the psychological thriller We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011). Swinton has also played the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia series (2005–2010) and the Ancient One in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Swinton was awarded the Richard Harris Award by the British Independent Film Awards in recognition of her contributions to the British film industry. In 2013, she was given a special tribute by the Museum of Modern Art. In 2020, Swinton was awarded the British Film Institute Fellowship, the highest honour presented by the institution, for her "daringly eclectic and striking talents as a performer and film-maker and recognizes her great contribution to film culture, independent film exhibition and philanthropy." That same year, The New York Times ranked her thirteenth on its list of the greatest actors of the 21st century up to that point.
So how do you introduce young thespians and audiences to Shakespeare without turning them off? This one-act no-set romp takes that snooty, sophisticated aura off Bill once and for all by poking fun while at the same time demonstrating his relevance to today’s modern world. What if Juliet went on “The Dating Game?” What if “Titus Andronicus” had been written as a gentle comedy of manners? What if something went wrong every time someone mentioned the word “Macbeth?” What if Othello, Iago and Desdemona appeared on “The Jerry Springer Show?” What if zombies tried to stage “Richard III?” What if the Immortal Bard of Avon married Mr. Drysedale’s secretary from “The Beverly Hillbillies?” What if a cow threw a pie at the director? With actual Shakespearean lines added into the mix, the play painlessly eases audiences and performers alike into the world of the world’s greatest playwright. On tour or in the classroom, “I Hate Shakespeare!” can be staged in a mere hour by as few as 5 performers or as many as 25, with a cast of adults or kids. Don’t forget to have a nub ready if you go blank!
