Diana Quick

Diana Quick is a British actress known for her extensive work in Royal Shakespeare Company productions, as well as her appearances in various BBC television shows and ITV dramas. She has shared the stage with renowned actors such as Ian McKellen and Judi Dench, and has worked under the direction of acclaimed directors like Trevor Nunn and Peter Hall. Quick's performances have been praised by critics from The Guardian and The Times, solidifying her position as a respected figure in British theatre. Her career has also been influenced by her associations with National Theatre and Royal Court Theatre.

● Early Life and Education

Diana Quick was born in London and spent her early years in Kent. She developed an interest in acting at a young age, inspired by performances at the Old Vic and Globe Theatre. Quick pursued her passion for acting by attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where she was a contemporary of Ben Kingsley and Timothy Dalton. Her time at RADA provided her with a strong foundation in classical theatre, which would later serve her well in her work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and other prestigious theatre companies like English National Opera and Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

● Career

Quick's career in theatre has been marked by numerous performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company, including productions of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Taming of the Shrew. She has also appeared in West End productions, such as Tom Stoppard's Arcadia at the National Theatre, and has worked with notable directors like Sam Mendes and Nicholas Hytner. In addition to her theatre work, Quick has made appearances on television in shows like Inspector Morse and Midsomer Murders, both produced by ITV Studios. Her film credits include roles in Merchant Ivory Productions' Howards End and Richard Attenborough's Gandhi, which also featured Ben Kingsley and Candice Bergen.

● Personal Life

Diana Quick has been married to actor Kenneth Cranham since 1974, and the couple has a daughter, Emma Cranham. Quick's personal life has been influenced by her associations with various charitable organizations, including Royal Academy of Dramatic Art's RADA Foundation and the Theatre Royal Haymarket's Masterclass Foundation. Her interests outside of acting include supporting English National Ballet and attending performances at the Wigmore Hall and Barbican Centre.

● Filmography

Quick's filmography includes a range of roles in British cinema, such as her appearances in Mike Leigh's Vera Drake and Stephen Poliakoff's Friends and Crocodiles. She has also worked with acclaimed directors like David Hare and Christopher Hampton on films like Wetherby and The Singing Detective. Her television credits include guest roles on popular shows like Doctor Who and Foyle's War, both produced by BBC Studios. Quick has also lent her voice to various BBC Radio 4 dramas, including adaptations of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.

● Awards and Nominations

Throughout her career, Diana Quick has received nominations for her performances, including a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her role in Tom Stoppard's Arcadia. She has also been recognized for her contributions to British theatre, including an award from the Theatre Royal Haymarket's Masterclass Foundation. Quick's work has been praised by critics from The Daily Telegraph and The Independent, and she continues to be an respected figure in the British acting community, with associations with organizations like Actors' Equity Association and British Actors' Equity.