Nathaniel Lees is a
New Zealand born actor and theatre director of Samoan descent. He is known for his role as
Captain Mifune in
The Matrix trilogy and his role as "
Uglúk" in
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. He has also had roles on the
TV series Young Hercules,
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and
Xena: Warrior Princess. He is also well known for a long career in theatre, having received many prestigious rewards for his contribution to the arts. He appeared in
30 Days of Night with
Josh Hartnett. He also played Master Mao in the
Power Rangers series
Power Rangers: Jungle Fury.
Theatre Director
Lees was the director of the award winning play
Think of a Garden written by
John Kneubuhl, produced by Cath Cardiff and performed at Taki Rua Theatre in
Wellington 1995. At the prestigious
Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards 1995, the play won
Production of the Year and Lees was awarded
Director of the Year. In 1996, he directed
A Frigate Bird Sings co-written by
Oscar Kightley and
Dave Fane and produced by Makerita Urale for the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts. The set was designed by Kate Peters and
Michel Tuffery. The play was nominated for
Production of the Year, Director of the Year, and
Set Design at the 1996 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards.
[tadb.otago.ac.nz/Theatre1/Extras/More.php?Param=awards2] In 2003, Lees directed
The Songmaker's Chair by
Albert Wendt.
[www.listener.co.nz/issue/3307/artsbooks/766/dressed_samoans_talk_and_talk_about_their_lives.html;jsessionid=DA533C6B91E1E09453925DDA45D828C5] He also directed
Awhi Tapu, by
Maori playwright Albert Belz.
Filmography
