creativity
Wander with me round a garden of past, present and ongoing creative projects, all of them collaborative in one way or another, made possible by working together with some generous and talented people over the years, who have inspired me and encouraged my artistic growth.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT, Hong Kong 1997 - 2000
This small professional company was originally formed with longtime pal and talented actor, Andy Chworowsky. Directors Hilary King, flown in from France and Scott Williams from London directed "The Baltimore Waltz" and "Ancient History", respectively. Other productions included "Love Letters", directed by Doug Baker, "Sylvia", "The Santaland Diaries", directed by me, and "Closer Than Ever".
Actors and Musical Directors included: Wendy Mok, Andrea Miller, John Tustin, Gus Scott, Sheri Dorfman, Lindzay Chan, Charles Teo, Peter Lally and Scott Gibson.
BACK TO THE WALL Philippines | Scotland | Australia | Hong Kong 1996
In 1995 I began work on a one-woman show about Hong Kong, the city that had truly become my home. The action takes place on the night before the 1997 transfer of sovereignty from Britain to China and was originally conceived as a musical.
The rehearsal journey took me back to a life changing tragedy I witnessed one night on a quiet street in North Point and the impact it had on my sense of community.
Back to the Wall is the theater project of which I am most proud and was made possible by sponsoring Angels: Allan Zeman, Daniel Ng and David Tang. The script was co-written with Nury Vittachi. Stage Manager Susan Lim and I toured the production, and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival won a glowing 5 star review in The Scotsman... the day before we closed. That's show biz!
1976 - 2000 San Francisco USA, Hong Kong
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA - SPRING OPERA THEATER 1979
My first professional job in the theater was with the San Francisco Opera's spring production of "La Traviata". Quite the thrill. Conductor Richard Bradshaw oversaw the auditions. I sang "Glitter and Be Gay" from Candide and as a result was cast as a member of the chorus, to my delight and astonishment. I had to sneak a tape recorder into rehearsals so I could practice at home because I was the only person in the entire company who couldn't read music!
This happy experience gained me that elusive SAG union card, kicking off my professional career in the theater.
THE ACTORS’ REP, Hong Kong 1984 - 1990
Founded by Seppie Hope and Sheelagh Cullen in the 80's, it was Hong Kong's only fully professional English-language theater company. I made my debut as a frog in a children's show and featured in most of the company's productions thereafter. I performed in and was a contributing writer for a series of original musical, satirical revues "Skitsoid", "Bastoid Son of Skitsoid" and "Paranoid".
Barry Bakker , who passed away in 2002, directed and wrote most of the lyrics. Peter Lally who passed in 2024, was Musical Director and composer. Fellow writers were Harry Rolnick, Stuart Wolfendale and Barry. Casts included Andy Chworowsky, Jenny Tarren, Claire Vousden , Hugh Trethowan, Hilary King and myself.
PARTNERS IN CRIME / INTERACTIVE MYSTERY THEATER Hong Kong | Australia | Singapore 1988 - 1994
Dear friend Hilary King and I wrote, directed and produced seven rather psychedelic interactive shows, each culminating in either decapitation, kidnapping, theft, poisoning, electrocution, stabbing or axe murder!
Though the welcome speeches and final interrogation were scripted, the rest of the evening's entertainment was an exercise in improvisational theater for the actors who dined with guests relentlessly grilling them for clues.
A high point was opening the InterContinental Hotel Singapore in 1995. Too many actor/improvisors and stage crew to list here but photos capture some of the fun.
HARMONY & GLITZ, Hong Kong 1989 - 1993
Hilary and I also produced and directed Broadway Revue with songs from shows including "A Chorus Line", "Little Shop of Horrors", "Hello Dolly", "Oklahoma" and "Cabaret". We opened at Hong Kong hot spot, M at The Fringe. Casts included: Lindzay Chan, Martin Clarke, Dominic Holmes, Sheri Dorfman and Scott Gibson, Beth Blatt, Jane Fondiller, Allan Seiler and yours truly.
curtains up!
HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS | Hong Kong 1995 - 1996
My good friend Betsy Fisher taught modern dance at the HKAPA and introduced me to Mandy Petty and Mohammed Drissi who invited me to teach acting to their dance students. I was then asked to direct the Dance Department's first musical production, "Bye Bye Birdie". Script all in Cantonese, lyrics in English. Many of those amazing young dancers went on to work for me after graduation and I was treated by many of them to half a dozen "farewell" dim sum lunches before I left Hong Kong for Lisbon.