Latest news with #SydneyTheatreCompany
ABC News
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
'An incredible night': Australian costume designer Marg Horwell on her 'surreal' Tony Award win
Australian costume designer Marg Horwell has called her win at this year's Tony Awards "surreal" and says she never could have imagined picking up theatre's most prestigious prize. Horwell picked up the Tony for Best Costume Design of a Play at Sunday night's ceremony in New York for her work on The Picture of Dorian Gray, the one-woman show starring Australian actress Sarah Snook. Snook, who plays 26 characters in the production, also took home Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play. After a whirlwind 24 hours, Horwell told ABC News Breakfast the cast and creative team behind the show have been basking in Tony Award glory. "It's been an incredible night. We were out all-night celebrating," she said. The Sydney Theatre Company's adaptation of Oscar Wilde's novel, directed by Kip Williams, had received six nominations at the 78th Tony Awards, the most-nominated solo show in the history of the ceremony. "It's a huge celebration of Australian theatre in a town that has so much theatre and such an amazing theatre community," Horwell said. "It's been a wonderful celebration of the show that has come from Australia and gone via London and then arrived in New York. We're so excited." The show, which originally premiered in 2020 in Sydney, is no stranger to accolades, winning multiple prizes at London's Olivier Awards in 2024 for the West End production. But Horwell recalls its humble inception, now, half a decade ago. "We made this show coming out of the pandemic, and it was at a time that we were trying to make work that was slightly safer or smaller and this was a huge ambitious project that came out of that time. "I'm so proud that we were, I don't know, naive enough or brave enough to be so bold," Horwell said. Creating countless costumes for Sarah Snook, Horwell says the production is a type of theatre audiences don't often get to see. "Quick changes or things that we normally try to hide in theatre are celebrated and centrestage in the show and it feels like you're getting to see a theatre secret." When asked about her advice to young Australians who want to pursue a career in the theatre, Horwell is reflective about her humble beginnings. "I saw as much as I possibly could and learnt as much as I possibly could by watching. My parents were great, took me to a lot of theatre when I was younger, and fringe theatre, small theatre in a small town. "Child me, I don't think would ever have believed that I would be sitting in a hotel in New York now with a Tony Award. "It's surreal. We're humbled."
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Sarah Snook picks up Tony Award for Dorian Gray
Succession star Sarah Snook has won a Tony Award for best leading actress in a play for her tour-de-force performance of more than two dozen roles in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Snook made her Broadway debut in the production and the Tony is the second major accolade she has won for the show after picking up an Olivier Award in London in 2024. "This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway," Snook said as she accepted the award at New York's Radio City Music Hall on Sunday (Monday AEST). "I don't feel alone any night that I do this show," Snook said, dismissing the idea of her play as a one-woman show. "There are so many people onstage making it work and behind the stage making it work." Snook came to international attention for playing Shiv Roy in the TV series Succession, for which she won an Emmy. The 37-year-old was considered the frontrunner to claim the Tony for her astonishing performance inhabiting 26 characters, but admitted on Sunday her surroundings were daunting. "This is an intimidating room full of incredibly talented people," she said. She paid tribute to the show's Australian writer and director Kip Williams, who was also nominated, and thanked her husband Dave Lawson. "An exceptional thank you to my husband, my soulmate," she said. "You are so brilliant holding the fort down and keeping our family together." The Sydney Theatre Company production was nominated for a total of six awards, with Marg Horwell winning best costume design of a play, following her Olivier Award. The big musical winner of the night was Maybe Happy Ending, a sweet and futuristic story that follows two obsolete helper robots as they navigate isolation, affection and what it means to be human. The show won three big awards including best musical. Darren Criss won his first Tony for best leading actor in a musical for his role as the innocent Oliver, and its director Michael Arden won the award for best director of a musical. The modern reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic Sunset Blvd also won big, taking awards for best revival of a musical and for Nicole Scherzinger, who stars as the faded movie star Norma Desmond, won best actress in a musical. The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Purpose won the best play award. Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, the play follows a family whose carefully constructed legacy unravels when their youngest son returns home with an unexpected guest, exposing buried secrets and faith-based conflict. Host Cynthia Erivo, the Wicked film star, opened the show with a walk to the stage from the dressing room that mimicked actor Tom Francis' viral post-intermission live outdoor Manhattan stroll as he sings the title song in Sunset Blvd. Cole Escola won the Tony for best lead actor in a play for his creation Oh, Mary! The show, Escola's reimagining of Mary Todd Lincoln's life and relationship with husband Abraham Lincoln, blends historical satire with absurd camp. The show also earned Sam Pinkleton the Tony for best director of a play. Francis Jue won best actor in a featured role in a play for Yellow Face. He thanked the Asian American actors who came before him and addressed the next generation: "This community sees you and I hope that encourages you to be brave, and to dream and to dream big." Kara Young, who was nominated for a Tony in the role of featured actress in a play four years in a row, won for the second year in a row for her role in the 2025 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Purpose. Natalie Venetia Belcon won the award for best featured actress in a musical for her role as Cuban singer Omara Portuondo in Buena Vista Social Club. Jak Malone won the award for best featured actor in a musical for Operation Mincemeat, a fast-paced World War Two spy farce based on a bizarre true British plot to trick the Nazis with a dead body. Best revival of a play went to Jonathan Spector's Eureka Day, a sharp comedy about well-meaning parents at a progressive school whose unity cracks open over a vaccine debate. Four-time Tony-winning actor and writer Harvey Fierstein received a special Tony Award for lifetime achievement in the theatres. "I dedicate this award to the people in the dark," he said. with AP and AAP Succession star Sarah Snook has won a Tony Award for best leading actress in a play for her tour-de-force performance of more than two dozen roles in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Snook made her Broadway debut in the production and the Tony is the second major accolade she has won for the show after picking up an Olivier Award in London in 2024. "This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway," Snook said as she accepted the award at New York's Radio City Music Hall on Sunday (Monday AEST). "I don't feel alone any night that I do this show," Snook said, dismissing the idea of her play as a one-woman show. "There are so many people onstage making it work and behind the stage making it work." Snook came to international attention for playing Shiv Roy in the TV series Succession, for which she won an Emmy. The 37-year-old was considered the frontrunner to claim the Tony for her astonishing performance inhabiting 26 characters, but admitted on Sunday her surroundings were daunting. "This is an intimidating room full of incredibly talented people," she said. She paid tribute to the show's Australian writer and director Kip Williams, who was also nominated, and thanked her husband Dave Lawson. "An exceptional thank you to my husband, my soulmate," she said. "You are so brilliant holding the fort down and keeping our family together." The Sydney Theatre Company production was nominated for a total of six awards, with Marg Horwell winning best costume design of a play, following her Olivier Award. The big musical winner of the night was Maybe Happy Ending, a sweet and futuristic story that follows two obsolete helper robots as they navigate isolation, affection and what it means to be human. The show won three big awards including best musical. Darren Criss won his first Tony for best leading actor in a musical for his role as the innocent Oliver, and its director Michael Arden won the award for best director of a musical. The modern reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic Sunset Blvd also won big, taking awards for best revival of a musical and for Nicole Scherzinger, who stars as the faded movie star Norma Desmond, won best actress in a musical. The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Purpose won the best play award. Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, the play follows a family whose carefully constructed legacy unravels when their youngest son returns home with an unexpected guest, exposing buried secrets and faith-based conflict. Host Cynthia Erivo, the Wicked film star, opened the show with a walk to the stage from the dressing room that mimicked actor Tom Francis' viral post-intermission live outdoor Manhattan stroll as he sings the title song in Sunset Blvd. Cole Escola won the Tony for best lead actor in a play for his creation Oh, Mary! The show, Escola's reimagining of Mary Todd Lincoln's life and relationship with husband Abraham Lincoln, blends historical satire with absurd camp. The show also earned Sam Pinkleton the Tony for best director of a play. Francis Jue won best actor in a featured role in a play for Yellow Face. He thanked the Asian American actors who came before him and addressed the next generation: "This community sees you and I hope that encourages you to be brave, and to dream and to dream big." Kara Young, who was nominated for a Tony in the role of featured actress in a play four years in a row, won for the second year in a row for her role in the 2025 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Purpose. Natalie Venetia Belcon won the award for best featured actress in a musical for her role as Cuban singer Omara Portuondo in Buena Vista Social Club. Jak Malone won the award for best featured actor in a musical for Operation Mincemeat, a fast-paced World War Two spy farce based on a bizarre true British plot to trick the Nazis with a dead body. Best revival of a play went to Jonathan Spector's Eureka Day, a sharp comedy about well-meaning parents at a progressive school whose unity cracks open over a vaccine debate. Four-time Tony-winning actor and writer Harvey Fierstein received a special Tony Award for lifetime achievement in the theatres. "I dedicate this award to the people in the dark," he said. with AP and AAP Succession star Sarah Snook has won a Tony Award for best leading actress in a play for her tour-de-force performance of more than two dozen roles in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Snook made her Broadway debut in the production and the Tony is the second major accolade she has won for the show after picking up an Olivier Award in London in 2024. "This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway," Snook said as she accepted the award at New York's Radio City Music Hall on Sunday (Monday AEST). "I don't feel alone any night that I do this show," Snook said, dismissing the idea of her play as a one-woman show. "There are so many people onstage making it work and behind the stage making it work." Snook came to international attention for playing Shiv Roy in the TV series Succession, for which she won an Emmy. The 37-year-old was considered the frontrunner to claim the Tony for her astonishing performance inhabiting 26 characters, but admitted on Sunday her surroundings were daunting. "This is an intimidating room full of incredibly talented people," she said. She paid tribute to the show's Australian writer and director Kip Williams, who was also nominated, and thanked her husband Dave Lawson. "An exceptional thank you to my husband, my soulmate," she said. "You are so brilliant holding the fort down and keeping our family together." The Sydney Theatre Company production was nominated for a total of six awards, with Marg Horwell winning best costume design of a play, following her Olivier Award. The big musical winner of the night was Maybe Happy Ending, a sweet and futuristic story that follows two obsolete helper robots as they navigate isolation, affection and what it means to be human. The show won three big awards including best musical. Darren Criss won his first Tony for best leading actor in a musical for his role as the innocent Oliver, and its director Michael Arden won the award for best director of a musical. The modern reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic Sunset Blvd also won big, taking awards for best revival of a musical and for Nicole Scherzinger, who stars as the faded movie star Norma Desmond, won best actress in a musical. The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Purpose won the best play award. Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, the play follows a family whose carefully constructed legacy unravels when their youngest son returns home with an unexpected guest, exposing buried secrets and faith-based conflict. Host Cynthia Erivo, the Wicked film star, opened the show with a walk to the stage from the dressing room that mimicked actor Tom Francis' viral post-intermission live outdoor Manhattan stroll as he sings the title song in Sunset Blvd. Cole Escola won the Tony for best lead actor in a play for his creation Oh, Mary! The show, Escola's reimagining of Mary Todd Lincoln's life and relationship with husband Abraham Lincoln, blends historical satire with absurd camp. The show also earned Sam Pinkleton the Tony for best director of a play. Francis Jue won best actor in a featured role in a play for Yellow Face. He thanked the Asian American actors who came before him and addressed the next generation: "This community sees you and I hope that encourages you to be brave, and to dream and to dream big." Kara Young, who was nominated for a Tony in the role of featured actress in a play four years in a row, won for the second year in a row for her role in the 2025 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Purpose. Natalie Venetia Belcon won the award for best featured actress in a musical for her role as Cuban singer Omara Portuondo in Buena Vista Social Club. Jak Malone won the award for best featured actor in a musical for Operation Mincemeat, a fast-paced World War Two spy farce based on a bizarre true British plot to trick the Nazis with a dead body. Best revival of a play went to Jonathan Spector's Eureka Day, a sharp comedy about well-meaning parents at a progressive school whose unity cracks open over a vaccine debate. Four-time Tony-winning actor and writer Harvey Fierstein received a special Tony Award for lifetime achievement in the theatres. "I dedicate this award to the people in the dark," he said. with AP and AAP Succession star Sarah Snook has won a Tony Award for best leading actress in a play for her tour-de-force performance of more than two dozen roles in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Snook made her Broadway debut in the production and the Tony is the second major accolade she has won for the show after picking up an Olivier Award in London in 2024. "This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway," Snook said as she accepted the award at New York's Radio City Music Hall on Sunday (Monday AEST). "I don't feel alone any night that I do this show," Snook said, dismissing the idea of her play as a one-woman show. "There are so many people onstage making it work and behind the stage making it work." Snook came to international attention for playing Shiv Roy in the TV series Succession, for which she won an Emmy. The 37-year-old was considered the frontrunner to claim the Tony for her astonishing performance inhabiting 26 characters, but admitted on Sunday her surroundings were daunting. "This is an intimidating room full of incredibly talented people," she said. She paid tribute to the show's Australian writer and director Kip Williams, who was also nominated, and thanked her husband Dave Lawson. "An exceptional thank you to my husband, my soulmate," she said. "You are so brilliant holding the fort down and keeping our family together." The Sydney Theatre Company production was nominated for a total of six awards, with Marg Horwell winning best costume design of a play, following her Olivier Award. The big musical winner of the night was Maybe Happy Ending, a sweet and futuristic story that follows two obsolete helper robots as they navigate isolation, affection and what it means to be human. The show won three big awards including best musical. Darren Criss won his first Tony for best leading actor in a musical for his role as the innocent Oliver, and its director Michael Arden won the award for best director of a musical. The modern reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic Sunset Blvd also won big, taking awards for best revival of a musical and for Nicole Scherzinger, who stars as the faded movie star Norma Desmond, won best actress in a musical. The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Purpose won the best play award. Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, the play follows a family whose carefully constructed legacy unravels when their youngest son returns home with an unexpected guest, exposing buried secrets and faith-based conflict. Host Cynthia Erivo, the Wicked film star, opened the show with a walk to the stage from the dressing room that mimicked actor Tom Francis' viral post-intermission live outdoor Manhattan stroll as he sings the title song in Sunset Blvd. Cole Escola won the Tony for best lead actor in a play for his creation Oh, Mary! The show, Escola's reimagining of Mary Todd Lincoln's life and relationship with husband Abraham Lincoln, blends historical satire with absurd camp. The show also earned Sam Pinkleton the Tony for best director of a play. Francis Jue won best actor in a featured role in a play for Yellow Face. He thanked the Asian American actors who came before him and addressed the next generation: "This community sees you and I hope that encourages you to be brave, and to dream and to dream big." Kara Young, who was nominated for a Tony in the role of featured actress in a play four years in a row, won for the second year in a row for her role in the 2025 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Purpose. Natalie Venetia Belcon won the award for best featured actress in a musical for her role as Cuban singer Omara Portuondo in Buena Vista Social Club. Jak Malone won the award for best featured actor in a musical for Operation Mincemeat, a fast-paced World War Two spy farce based on a bizarre true British plot to trick the Nazis with a dead body. Best revival of a play went to Jonathan Spector's Eureka Day, a sharp comedy about well-meaning parents at a progressive school whose unity cracks open over a vaccine debate. Four-time Tony-winning actor and writer Harvey Fierstein received a special Tony Award for lifetime achievement in the theatres. "I dedicate this award to the people in the dark," he said. with AP and AAP
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Sarah Snook wins best actress Tony for Dorian Gray
Succession star Sarah Snook has taken home the first acting Tony Award, winning the trophy for leading actress in a play for The Picture of Dorian Gray, in which she plays all 26 roles, reprising a performance that won her an Olivier Award. "This means so much for a little Australian girl," she said at the ceremony at New York's Radio City Music Hall on Sunday (Monday AEST). She thanked her husband, Dave Lawson, for "holding down the fort and keeping our family together". Hours before the main even began Australian Marg Hornwell was announced as the winner of best costume design in a play for A Picture of Dorian Gray. Snook plays all 26 roles in the one-woman The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was originally produced by Sydney Theatre Company and won the actress a prestigious Olivier Award in London. Snook received international recognition for playing Shiv Roy in the TV series Succession, for which she won and Emmy. The Picture of Dorian Gray has six Tony nominations, including best direction for Kip Williams with his fellow Australians Clemence Williams, Nick Schlieper, David Berman nominated for best sound, lighting, and set design - as well Hornwell's win for costumes. Francis Jue won best actor in a featured role in a play for his work in a revival of Yellow Face. He said he was gifted the tux he was wearing from another Asian actor who wanted him to wear it to the Tonys. "I'm only here because of the encouragement and inspiration of generations of wonderful deserving Asian artists who came before me," he said. "To those who don't feel seen," he added. "I see you." Jak Malone won best actor in a featured role in a musical for the British import Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical, playing a woman every performance. He hoped his win could be a powerful punch for trans rights. with AAP Succession star Sarah Snook has taken home the first acting Tony Award, winning the trophy for leading actress in a play for The Picture of Dorian Gray, in which she plays all 26 roles, reprising a performance that won her an Olivier Award. "This means so much for a little Australian girl," she said at the ceremony at New York's Radio City Music Hall on Sunday (Monday AEST). She thanked her husband, Dave Lawson, for "holding down the fort and keeping our family together". Hours before the main even began Australian Marg Hornwell was announced as the winner of best costume design in a play for A Picture of Dorian Gray. Snook plays all 26 roles in the one-woman The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was originally produced by Sydney Theatre Company and won the actress a prestigious Olivier Award in London. Snook received international recognition for playing Shiv Roy in the TV series Succession, for which she won and Emmy. The Picture of Dorian Gray has six Tony nominations, including best direction for Kip Williams with his fellow Australians Clemence Williams, Nick Schlieper, David Berman nominated for best sound, lighting, and set design - as well Hornwell's win for costumes. Francis Jue won best actor in a featured role in a play for his work in a revival of Yellow Face. He said he was gifted the tux he was wearing from another Asian actor who wanted him to wear it to the Tonys. "I'm only here because of the encouragement and inspiration of generations of wonderful deserving Asian artists who came before me," he said. "To those who don't feel seen," he added. "I see you." Jak Malone won best actor in a featured role in a musical for the British import Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical, playing a woman every performance. He hoped his win could be a powerful punch for trans rights. with AAP Succession star Sarah Snook has taken home the first acting Tony Award, winning the trophy for leading actress in a play for The Picture of Dorian Gray, in which she plays all 26 roles, reprising a performance that won her an Olivier Award. "This means so much for a little Australian girl," she said at the ceremony at New York's Radio City Music Hall on Sunday (Monday AEST). She thanked her husband, Dave Lawson, for "holding down the fort and keeping our family together". Hours before the main even began Australian Marg Hornwell was announced as the winner of best costume design in a play for A Picture of Dorian Gray. Snook plays all 26 roles in the one-woman The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was originally produced by Sydney Theatre Company and won the actress a prestigious Olivier Award in London. Snook received international recognition for playing Shiv Roy in the TV series Succession, for which she won and Emmy. The Picture of Dorian Gray has six Tony nominations, including best direction for Kip Williams with his fellow Australians Clemence Williams, Nick Schlieper, David Berman nominated for best sound, lighting, and set design - as well Hornwell's win for costumes. Francis Jue won best actor in a featured role in a play for his work in a revival of Yellow Face. He said he was gifted the tux he was wearing from another Asian actor who wanted him to wear it to the Tonys. "I'm only here because of the encouragement and inspiration of generations of wonderful deserving Asian artists who came before me," he said. "To those who don't feel seen," he added. "I see you." Jak Malone won best actor in a featured role in a musical for the British import Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical, playing a woman every performance. He hoped his win could be a powerful punch for trans rights. with AAP Succession star Sarah Snook has taken home the first acting Tony Award, winning the trophy for leading actress in a play for The Picture of Dorian Gray, in which she plays all 26 roles, reprising a performance that won her an Olivier Award. "This means so much for a little Australian girl," she said at the ceremony at New York's Radio City Music Hall on Sunday (Monday AEST). She thanked her husband, Dave Lawson, for "holding down the fort and keeping our family together". Hours before the main even began Australian Marg Hornwell was announced as the winner of best costume design in a play for A Picture of Dorian Gray. Snook plays all 26 roles in the one-woman The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was originally produced by Sydney Theatre Company and won the actress a prestigious Olivier Award in London. Snook received international recognition for playing Shiv Roy in the TV series Succession, for which she won and Emmy. The Picture of Dorian Gray has six Tony nominations, including best direction for Kip Williams with his fellow Australians Clemence Williams, Nick Schlieper, David Berman nominated for best sound, lighting, and set design - as well Hornwell's win for costumes. Francis Jue won best actor in a featured role in a play for his work in a revival of Yellow Face. He said he was gifted the tux he was wearing from another Asian actor who wanted him to wear it to the Tonys. "I'm only here because of the encouragement and inspiration of generations of wonderful deserving Asian artists who came before me," he said. "To those who don't feel seen," he added. "I see you." Jak Malone won best actor in a featured role in a musical for the British import Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical, playing a woman every performance. He hoped his win could be a powerful punch for trans rights. with AAP
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Australia's Sarah Snook frontrunner to win Tony Award
Australian actress Sarah Snook is considered the frontrunner to win the best leading actress in a play at the 78th Tony Awards for her performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Hours before the main even began Australian Marg Hornwell was announced as the winner of best costumes in a play for A Picture of Dorian Gray. The event at New York's Radio City Music Hall is being held on Sunday night (10am AEST). Snook plays all 26 roles in The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was originally produced by Sydney Theatre Company and has already earned the actress a prestigious Olivier Award in London. The production has six nominations, including best direction for Kip Williams with his fellow Australians Clemence Williams, Nick Schlieper, David Berman nominated for best sound, lighting, and set design - as well Hornwell's win for costumes. Buena Vista Social Club and Maybe Happy Ending won early Tony Awards - hours before the main event started. The best book award went to Maybe Happy Ending, with lyrics written by Hue Park and music composed by Will Aronson. Park from the podium wanted to point out that he and Aronson are not a romantic couple and that he was very much single. Stranger Things: The First Shadow, an effects-driven prequel to the Netflix hit show Stranger Things, won best sound design of a play. Marco Paguia won best orchestrations for Buena Vista Social Club and thanked Broadway for welcoming Cuban music. Broadway had a stuffed season with seemingly something for everyone and Sunday is time to recognise the best. Broadway buzz is usually reserved for musicals but this year the plays - powered by A-list talent - have driven the conversation. There's George Clooney in Good Night, and Good Luck, Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal in Othello, Snook and her Succession co-star Kieran Culkin and Bob Odenkirk in Glengarry Glen Ross. There were two Pulitzer winners - 2024 awardee English and Purpose from 2025 - but perhaps one of the season's biggest surprises was Oh, Mary!, Cole Escola's irreverent, raunchy, gleefully deranged revisionist history centred on Mary Todd Lincoln. All three are nominated for best play, along with John Proctor is the Villain and The Hills of California. On the musical side, three options seem to be in the mix for the top prize: Maybe Happy Ending, a rom-com about a pair of androids; Dead Outlaw, about an alcoholic drifter whose embalmed body becomes a prized possession for half a century; and Death Becomes Her, the musical satire about longtime frenemies who drink a magic potion for eternal youth and beauty. Maybe Happy Ending, Death Becomes Her and another musical nominee, Buena Vista Social Club, lead nominations with 10 apiece. The 2024-2025 season took in $US1.9 billion ($A2.9 billion), making it the highest-grossing season ever and signalling that Broadway has finally emerged from the COVID-19 blues, having overtaken the previous high of $US1.8 billion ($A2.8 billion) during the 2018-2019 season. with AAP
West Australian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Peter O'Brien heading to His Majesty's Theatre in Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None
The desire to live a nomadic existence has been the motivation behind a great many decisions Australian actor Peter O'Brien has made throughout his life, especially on his career path. Raised in outback South Australian, O'Brien was studying a Bachelor of Science and Teaching degree at Adelaide's Flinders University when he discovered great creative joy in the university revue scene. 'It wasn't like I showed some extraordinary aptitude or gift for it, but I found it a world that was really interesting; the collaborative process and the creativity,' 65-year-old O'Brien says. 'There's a similar thread that runs through it like preparing for a game of sport. It's that preparation, and then out you go. That's something that I understood quite well, and every few months there was a possibility of a new job, and travel with it. 'I certainly wasn't seeking to go and be famous or anything, but it was a great chance to find somewhere in that industry that I could fit in, whether it was in front or behind the camera, or on stage or off-stage. 'From my original desire to be creative and travel, it certainly has fulfilled that and scratched that itch.' Film and television roles — from Neighbours, as original cast member Shane Ramsay, and The Flying Doctors to Halifax f.p. and White Collar Blue — have seen O'Brien travel back and forth to Australia for work as he has spent the past 30 years living everywhere from the UK and US to stints in China, Canada, and South America. He and actor wife Miranda Otto have temporarily moved back to Australia while their daughter Darcey studies at university in Sydney. 'We put the pets on the plane and brought them back, but we didn't do a Johnny Depp, we brought them through the right way,' he chuckles. The move has seen O'Brien reunite with director Robyn Nevin for Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, having worked with her on Sydney Theatre Company's 2003 production of A Doll's House, and knowing Nevin's previous success directing Christie's The Mousetrap. Intrigued by the stage adaptation of Christie's bestselling crime novel, O'Brien signed on for the challenge of character William Blore, also eager for the chance to tour the Australian production to Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide. Considered one of the greatest edge-of-your-seat thrillers Christie ever wrote, And Then There Were None follows 10 strangers who are invited to a solitary mansion on an island off the English coast. After a storm isolates them from the mainland, the real reason behind their gathering starts to emerge, taking on a grim reality. 'Agatha Christie always puts these complicated and veiled characters into shows in a way that you are intrigued,' O'Brien says. 'There's a lot of intrigue about William and his involvement in the story. He's a lot of fun, sometimes to his and my detriment. 'Every time he walks into the room, he changes the course of the play where there is an energy or a situation that he either creates, or is involved in, that relaunches or pivots the play in a way. 'There's a tapestry to Agatha Christie's works as she weaves them. It's not that characters are deliberately being deceptive, trying to deceive people, but there's always an area of intrigue about them, of 'why are they doing that?'. It's in her writing of dialogue and situations.' The production premiered in Melbourne in February, where it has been captivating audiences night after night with all the elements of mystery, suspense and humour expected of a Christie narrative. Alongside O'Brien in the 11-strong cast are Nicholas Hammond, Jennifer Flowers, Grant Piro and Anthony Phelan, plus WA Academy of Performing Arts graduates Tom Stokes, Mia Morrissey and Eden Falk. 'The response has just been unanimous rapture,' he says. 'I guess you're only as good as your audience reaction, and that's been enormous. I've really enjoyed it. It takes you along with it from the moment the curtain goes up, and you've just got to keep up. Tell Perth audiences to put their running shoes on when they come.' And Then There Were None is at His Majesty's Theatre, June 8 to 29. Tickets at
