Alexi Kaye Campbell


Alexi Kaye Campbell is a Greek-British playwright and actor. In 2009, his play The Pride was given the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre.

Personal life

Alexi Kaye Campbell was born Alexi Komondouros in Athens, Greece, to a Greek father and British mother. The name Campbell comes from his mother's family. He was brought up in Athens and went to Greek primary school, then Campion School and St Lawrence College, the British International schools in Athens. After graduating from Boston University with a degree in English and American Literature, Kaye Campbell went on to study acting at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Kaye Campbell has lived with his partner, the director Dominic Cooke since 1997.

Acting

Before turning to writing Kaye Campbell worked for many years as an actor. His work included seasons at the Royal Shakespeare Company and with Oxford Stage Company, Chichester Festival Theatre, The Royal Court, Hampstead Theatre and with Shared Experience.

Writing

Alexi's first play Death in Whitbridge was performed as a rehearsed reading at the Finborough Theatre in London as part of the Vibrant Playwrights Festival.
In November 2008 Kaye Campbell's second play, The Pride, was produced for the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs for which he was awarded The Critics' Circle Prize for Most Promising Playwright and the John Whiting Award for Best New Play. The production, directed by Jamie Lloyd, was also awarded a Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an affiliate theatre. It starred Bertie Carvel, JJ Feild, Lyndsey Marshal and Tim Steed.
In January 2010 The Pride transferred to America and was produced for the MCC Theater in New York City, directed by Joe Mantello. The cast included Ben Whishaw, Andrea Riseborough, Hugh Dancy and Adam James. The play won the GLAAD award for Best New Play. Since then, 'The Pride' has been produced in many theatres worldwide, including in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Greece, and Germany.
Kaye Campbell's third play, Apologia, was produced at The Bush Theatre in the summer of 2009, directed by Josie Rourke. Apologia was short-listed for The John Whiting Award and nominated for the Writers' Guild of Great Britain award for Best Theatre Play. 'Apologia' was also produced at the MTC Theatre in Melbourne, Australia, with Robyn Nevin playing the part of Kristin. It was also produced at the Bungakuza Theatre Company in Japan.
Kaye Campbell's fourth play The Faith Machine premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in August 2011 directed by Jamie Lloyd and starring Hayley Atwell and Ian McDiarmid. It was also produced at the Bungakuza Theatre in Tokyo.
His fifth play Bracken Moor premiered at the Tricycle Theatre, London in June 2013, directed by Polly Teale.
In Autumn 2013 a revival of The Pride, directed by Jamie Lloyd, enjoyed a successful run in the West End before embarking on a national tour.
His sixth play, Sunset at the Villa Thalia, premiered at the National Theatre in London in May 2016, in a production directed by Simon Godwin and starring Ben Miles, Elizabeth McGovern, Sam Crane and Pippa Nixon.
In August 2017 a revival of Apologia was produced at The Trafalgar Studios in London, directed by Jamie Lloyd and starring Stockard Channing. In September 2018 Apologia will also be produced at the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York.
Kaye Campbell's first film script, Woman in Gold, produced by BBC Films and The Weinstein Company, was directed by Simon Curtis and stars Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds. It was the highest earning independent film of 2015.

Plays

Death in Whitbridge – Finborough Theatre, London
The Pride – Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, London, 2008; MCC Theatre, New York, 2010; Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 2011
Apologia – The Bush Theatre, London, 2009; Laura Pels Theatre, NYC, 2018
The Faith Machine – Royal Court Theatre Downstairs, London, 2011
Bracken Moor – Shared Experience & Tricycle Theatre, London, 2013
Sunset at the Villa Thalia National Theatre, London, 2016

Films

Woman in Gold

Awards and nominations

YearResultAwardCategory
2008WonCritics' Circle Theatre AwardMost Promising Playwright
2009WonJohn Whiting AwardBest New Play
2009WonLaurence Olivier AwardOutstanding Achievement in an affiliate theatre
2009NominationEvening Standard Award – The Charles Wintour AwardMost Promising Playwright
2009NominationWriters' Guild of Great Britain AwardsBest New Play
2010NominationDrama League AwardDistinguished Production of a Play
2010NominationOuter Critics Circle AwardOutstanding New Off-Broadway Play
2011WonGLAAD AwardOutstanding New York Theatre