​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   Sean Gerard Mathias (born 14 March 1956) is a British theatre director, film director, writer and actor. Mathias was born in Swansea, south Wales. He is known for directing the film, Bent, and for directing highly acclaimed theatre productions in London, New York, Cape Town, Los Angeles and Sydney. He has also had a notable professional and personal partnership with the actor, Sir Ian McKellen, since the late 1970s. He was named one of the 101 most influential gay and lesbian people in Britain by the …