Phyllida Lloyd English director Date of Birth: 17.06.1957 Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Theater Career
2. Assistant Director at Various Theaters
3. Royal Exchange Theatre Successes
4. Debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company
5. Commercial Success at the Royal Court Theatre
6. Debut at the Royal National Theatre
7. Opera North Debut
8. Return to Theater and Notable Productions
9. International Success with 'Mamma Mia!'

Early Life and Theater Career

Phyllida Lloyd, an acclaimed English director, was born and raised in Bristol. She completed her studies at Birmingham University in 1979 and subsequently spent five years at 'BBC Television Drama.' In 1985, Lloyd pursued a directing course at the Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, under the Arts Council of Great Britain's scholarship.

Assistant Director at Various Theaters

After her studies, Lloyd served as an assistant director at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, and later at the Old Vic in Bristol. At the Old Vic, she staged a highly successful production of 'The Comedy of Errors.'

Royal Exchange Theatre Successes

From 1987 to 1990, Lloyd directed several productions at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Notable among these were 'The Winter's Tale,' 'The School for Scandal,' 'Medea,' and 'Death and the King's Horseman.'

Debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company

In 1991, Lloyd made her debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her rendition of Thomas Shadwell's 'The Virtuoso' was enthusiastically received by audiences. In 1992, she directed another rare play, 'Artists and Admirers.'

Commercial Success at the Royal Court Theatre

Lloyd's first major commercial success came with her 1992 production of John Guare's 'Six Degrees of Separation' at the Royal Court Theatre.

Debut at the Royal National Theatre

In 1994, Lloyd debuted at the Royal National Theatre with 'Pericles.' Critical reception was divided, but she later gained acclaim for her productions of 'Hysteria' and 'The Threepenny Opera.'

Opera North Debut

Around this time, Lloyd's work caught the attention of Nicholas Paine, the then managing director of Opera North. He commissioned her to direct Emmanuel Chabrier's opera 'L'Etoile,' marking her debut as an opera director.

Return to Theater and Notable Productions

Despite mixed reviews for her initial production at the National Theatre, Lloyd continued directing plays. Notable productions under her direction include 'The Way of the World,' 'What the Butler Saw,' 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,' and 'The Duchess of Malfi.'

International Success with 'Mamma Mia!'

In 1999, Lloyd was offered the opportunity to direct the ABBA musical 'Mamma Mia!' The musical became a global hit, reaching success in the West End, Broadway, and around the world. Lloyd also directed the 2008 film adaptation.