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Adrian Lester

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Adrian Lester BIO

Adrian Lester is an award-winning actor and director. His career started with a string of successful West End productions including Company, for which he received an Olivier Award, Six Degrees of Separation and Sweeney Todd, before taking the starring role in Mike Nichol's movie Primary Colors. Other film roles include Day After Tomorrow, As You Like It, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Grey Lady, Dust, Case No39 and the Oscar nominated Mary Queen of Scots. Adrian is also well known for his TV work including the long running BBC1 series “Hustle,” “Sky Atlantic’s Riviera,” “Girlfriends” (CBS), “Undercover” (BBC1), “Curfew” (Sky One), “Trauma” (ITV), “The Rook” (Starz) and BBC1 “Drama Life.” Directing credits include Hustle, Riviera, short film Of Mary and The Greatest Wealth at The Old Vic, which was updated in 2021 with a monologue written by Bernardine Evaristo and performed by Sharon D Clarke. Adrian has played the title roles inHenry V and Othello (National Theatre), for which he won Best Actor at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards; Rosalind in As You Like It (Declan Donnellan & Cheek By Jowl); Ira Aldridge in Red Velvet (Tricycle Theatre / St Ann’s Warehouse New York / Garrick Theatre), for which he won Best Actor at the Critics Circle Awards; Hamlet in Peter Brook’s The Tragedy Of Hamlet (London, Paris, Japan and New York), Guys & Dolls (Royal Albert Hall), Cost of Living (Hampstead), Romeo & Juliet (streamed by NT/Sky Arts) and Hymn (The Almeida/Sky Arts), which was streamed live due to the coronavirus pandemic. Forthcoming projects include “The Undeclared War” (Peacock/Ch4), “Trigger Point” (ITV), directing Calmer (The Rep) and Hymn, which returns to a live audience at the Almeida in July 2021.

Adrian Lester Photos

Adrian Lester STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
Donmar Warehouse Revival, 1995
Robert

[Regional (UK)]
Royal National Theatre Production, 1993
Anthony Hope


Adrian Lester Movies

The Sun Sisters
[ 1997 ] Isaac Nelson
Up on the Roof
[ 1997 ] Scott
Primary Colors
[ 1998 ] Henry Burton
Love's Labour's Lost
[ 2000 ] Dumaine
Maybe Baby
[ 2000 ] George
Born Romantic
[ 2000 ] Jimmy
Best
[ 2000 ] Rocky
Dust
[ 2001 ] Edge
The Final Curtain
[ 2002 ] Jonathan Stitch
The Day After Tomorrow
[ 2004 ] Simon
Scenes of a Sexual Nature
[ 2006 ] Pete
As You Like It
[ 2006 ] Oliver De Boys
Starting Out in the Evening
[ 2007 ] Cey Davis
Doomsday
[ 2008 ] Norton
Case 39
[ 2009 ] Wayne
National Theatre Live: Othello
[ 2013 ] Othello
Jimi: All Is by My Side
[ 2013 ] Michael X
Breakable You
[ 2017 ] Ken Yates
Grey Lady
[ 2017 ] Johnson
Euphoria
[ 2017 ] Aron
Mary Queen of Scots
[ 2018 ] Lord Randolph

Adrian Lester TV Shows

Girlfriends
Ellis Carter
Hustle
Mickey Stone
Red Band Society
Dr. Naday
Riviera
Robert Carver

Adrian Lester Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Adrian Lester, The Lehman Trilogy

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Adrian Lester, The Lehman Trilogy

Olivier Awards - 2016 - Best Actor

Adrian LesterRed Velvet


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2013 - Best Actor

Adrian LesterOthello

Olivier Awards - 1996 - Best Actor in a Musical

Adrian LesterCompany

Olivier Awards - 1995 - Best Actor

Adrian LesterAs You Like

Adrian Lester News


Photos: Inside Opening Night of STANDING AT THE SKY'S EDGE


Photos have been released from opening night of Sheffield Theatres' production of Standing at the Sky's Edge at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Check out the photos here!

Martin Freeman, Dermot O'Leary, Matt Lucas and More Set For WHODUNNIT [UNREHEARSED] 3


Park Theatre has announced the remaining celebrity guests taking part in the popular murder mystery fundraising spoof Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] 3. Learn more about the lineup here!

Symphony Space Announces New Programs For Spring 2024


Symphony Space has announced additional Spring 2024 programming. The coming months abound with bespoke evenings that offer playful and candid experiences of some of today's most beloved voices in music, literature, theater, and more.

Symphony Space Unveils Spring 2024 Programming Featuring George Takei, Judy Collins & More


Symphony Space has revealed additional Spring 2024 programming. See performance dates and learn who is taking part!

Photos: Inside Opening Night of THE MOTIVE AND THE CUE


All new photos have been released from opening night of the National Theatre and Neal Street Productions' The Motive and the Cue at the Noel Coward Theatre, as well as the post-show party at The Crypt, St-Martins-in-the-Fields.

Katy Sullivan to Star in RICHARD III at Chicago Shakespeare Theater


Chicago Shakespeare Theater has revealed the cast and creative team for William Shakespeare’s Richard III. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

National Theatre Live Presents: ROMEO & JULIET to Play The Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center Next Month


This bold new film brings to life the remarkable backstage spaces of the National Theatre in which desire, dreams and destiny collide to make Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy sing in an entirely new way. Romeo and Juliet risk everything to be together.

WHODUNNIT [UNREHEARSED], THE FORSYTE SAGA, and More Come to the Park Theatre in 2024


Park Theatre has announced a plethora of new shows for 2024, including the third installment of their hugely popular Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] series and a two-part adaptation of The Forsyte Saga. 

BBC to Run Extensive Shakespeare Season to Celebrate 400th Anniversary of First Folio


The BBC is celebrating this extraordinary anniversary with an ambitious season of content across TV, Radio, BBC iPlayer & BBC Sounds exploring why, 400 years on, Shakespeare's relevance and influence is as strong as ever. A wealth of programming featuring major actors and leading experts, including new documentaries, performance, music, drama, comedy, news coverage and the best of the BBC archive, as well as special items on flagship BBC shows, will celebrate the man, his world and his timeless writing.

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night for STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS


The stars were out in force to celebrate the opening night of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre. Check out the photos below!

PORTIA COUGHLAN and KING LEAR Come to the Almeida Theatre in 2023/24


The Almeida Theatre has announced two new productions for 2023/24. Learn more about the upcoming shows here!

Chicago Shakespeare Welcomes New Artistic and Executive Leadership to Drive Innovation and Creativity in Theater


Chicago Shakespeare is welcoming new artistic and executive leadership, who are set to bring fresh ideas, innovation, and creativity to the theater scene. Prepare to be amazed by the exciting changes happening at Chicago Shakespeare.

Amando Iannucci and Sean Foley Seek Shape-Shifting Comic Actor for DR. STRANGELOVE


In an interview with BBC News, Sean Foley said: “They’ve got to be a great comic actor, of which we have very many. They’ve got to be of that shape-shifting kind of quality.'

Stage Production of Stanley Kubrick's DR. STRANGELOVE to Open in London in Autumn 2024


Stanley Kubrick's iconic work will be adapted for the first time ever, when a world premiere stage production of his timeless classic Dr. Strangelove opens in the West End in Autumn 2024.

Review: AS YOU LIKE IT, RSC Stratford Upon Avon


Old actors play young characters and find new nuances in familiar speeches

Indhu Rubasingham Steps Down As Artistic Director Of Kiln Theatre


Kiln Theatre has announced that Indhu Rubasingham will step down as Artistic Director of the company, leaving early 2024, having led the company for over a decade.

Photos: Inside the Gala Night For AIN'T TOO PROUD in the West End


The Ain’t Too Proud gala performance took place last night, Thursday 20 April at the Prince Edward Theatre. Guests included Hugh Grant, Sir Bob Geldof, Pete Townshend, Adrian Lester, Beverley Knight, Pearl Mackie and Su Pollard. Check out photos here!

The UK Pantomime Association Appoints Derek Griffiths as its Inaugural Vice President


Derek Griffiths MBE, the highly-acclaimed and much-loved actor, children's television presenter, composer and pantomime performer, has been appointed as the inaugural Vice President of the UK Pantomime Association.  

Gala Concert Will Stream Exclusively On digitaltheatre.com


digitaltheatre.com will exclusively stream the amazing Gala Concert, REGENERATE: Lost Songs from the Musicals from  Monday 3rd October 2022.

Florian Zeller to Write, Direct & Co-Produce THE LEHMAN TRILOGY Series Adaption


Florian Zeller will make his television debut as the writer, director, and co-producer of the upcoming series adaption of The Lehman Trilogy. Florian Zeller is most known for his trilogy of plays, The Father, The Son, and The Mother. Later this year, a film adaption of The Son will be released starring Hugh Jackman.

Adrian Lester FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Adrian Lester been in?

Adrian Lester has not appeared on Broadway.

How many West End shows has Adrian Lester been in?

Adrian Lester has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Adrian Lester's first West End show?

Adrian Lester's first West End show was Company which opened in 1995

What awards has Adrian Lester been nominated for?

Adrian Lester has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Actor in a Play by the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "The Lehman Trilogy," Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "The Lehman Trilogy," Best Actor at the Olivier Awards for "Red Velvet," Best Actor at the Evening Standard Awards for "Othello," Best Actor in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for "Company," and Best Actor at the Olivier Awards for "As You Like."

What awards has Adrian Lester won?

Adrian Lester has won the Best Actor award at the Evening Standard Awards for his performance in Othello.

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