ANDREW HORWOOD

Andrew’s theatrical association with the Rep spans 25 years. Appearing in Fallen Angels in 2006, he now makes a welcome return after four years.

Some of Andrew’s more memorable roles on the Arts Theatre stage include See How They Run, Who’s Life is it Anyway?, It Runs in the Family, Funny Money, and with the Therry Society in 2008 First Things First.

Much of Andrew’s theatre work takes place with St. Jude’s Players at Brighton where he holds life membership and makes regular stage appearances.

(about the character)
Philippe’s psychological instability stems from the war where he sustained shrapnel wounds to the head, but one suspects irrespective of this he may still display signs of paranoia and obsession even if he had emerged unscathed.

It is these episodes of odd behaviour and passing out every ten minutes, that sets him apart from his fellow ‘heroes’. Philippe’s inability to copy with any kind of stress or pressure frustrates the others, but makes for hilarious situations as he and his cohorts plan their military style escape … even if it’s only to the poplars at the top of the hill.

MICHAEL CROOME

Michael has been acting and directing for the past 45 years, the last 30 in Australia, and the last 11 in Adelaide.

He is probably better known as a director of comedies and farces for the Rep, the last being A Flea in Her Ear at the end of 2009 and before that I Hate Hamlet at the end of 2008. The last time he was seen ‘treading the boards’ was as a grumpy old man in The Sunshine Boys for the Therry Society in 2008 and before that The Cocktail Hour for the Rep. For both these roles he received an OSCART Award for Best Actor in a comedy.

As can be seen, he has shown a decided preference for comedy, with Ray Cooney, Neil Simon and A R Gurney as his favourite playwrights. However, he will be making a major departure from this genre when he directs the Rep’s next production, The Woman in Black, a spine chilling, Victorian ghost story.

(about the character)
Gustave is a grumpy old man (1959 French version). What is it about me or my acting that makes this the third time in succession that a director has cast me in such a role? Have they been talking to my wife? Am I in danger of being type-cast? And should the fact that Gustave is somewhat deranged be telling me something. On all accounts, I hope not. But I do enjoy playing him.

MARTIN WRIGHT

Martin’s long theatre involvement in the U K and Australia includes the roles of Sgt Wilson in Dad’s Army for the Rep; Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady for Mayfair; George in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe for the Blackwood Players; John Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest for Mayfair; the dual roles of Major Pollock and John Malcolm in Separate Tables; General Boothroyd in Lloyd George Knew My Father for the Therry Society and W S Gilbert in 150 Years of Gilbert & Sullivan for the G & S Society.

Martin has also published a book of his travel memoirs under the title Been There, Done That.

(about the character)
The sanest (relatively) of the three old World War I veterans.