Peter Batey interviewed by Bill Stephens [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 2426181
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Batey, Peter, 1933-2019, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research; written permission required for personal copies and public use during the lifetime of the interviewee.
- Description:
-
- 2001 Apr. 21
- 4 digital audio tapes (ca 260 min.)
- Summary:
-
Batey speaks of his early family life in Benalla, Vic., father died at age 3, early education, deciding to become an actor, auditions for the University of Melbourne Conservatorium Drama School, his request to audition for the Old Vic Company, undertaking the 3 year drama course at the Conservatorium, his period doing National Service and its effect on him and later touring with the Melbourne Theatre Company, the founding of the Union Theatre Repertory Company and its director John Sumner, working conditions during the tours of the Company, the production of the Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, his role in the emergence of Edna Everage, how he was offered the management of the Company, his return to acting in the play Cross Section, the offer to become the resident Director of the National Theatre of Perth (NTP), how he came to write the play "No-Hopers" leading to his eventual resignation from the NTP, the offer from John Sumner of an Associate Director, Union Theatre.
Batey speaks of being appointed as Resident Director, Canberra Repertory Society but despite his ambition to turn this into a professional company he was removed from this post, his position as Deputy Manager of the Canberra Theatre Centre, directing a Phillip Street Revue, directs a marionette version of the Magic Pudding for Expo 70 at the request of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, his appointment as Artistic Director, South Australian Theatre Company then later replaced, his position as Director of the Victorian Arts Council, his production of Reg Livermore's Betty Blokk Buster Follies and his role as a director, producing his nude revue Let My People Come, problems in sustaining a long-running one-man show, producing Reg Livermore's Sacred Cow in Britain but plans to do so in the U.S. are aborted, his split with Livermore, his work with Ruth Cracknell, how he established a local arts festival in his town of Coolac, the state of rural community arts, his ambitions.
- Biography/History:
-
Peter Batey is a theatrical director, actor and playwright.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on April 21, 2001 in Coolac, N.S.W.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia ;
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary available (13 p.) and uncorrected transcript (typescript, 92 leaves)
- Subject:
-
- Batey, Peter, 1933-2019 -- Interviews
- Livermore, Reg
- Melbourne Theatre Company
- Canberra Repertory Society
- Union Theatre Repertory Company
- Victorian Arts Council
- National Theatre of Perth
- South Australian Theatre Company
- Actors -- Australia -- Interviews
- Theatrical producers and directors -- Australia -- Interviews
- Performing arts -- New South Wales -- Coolac
- Performing arts -- Australia -- Anecdotes
- Occupation:
- Theatre producers and directors
- Other authors/contributors:
- Stephens, Bill, 1936-, interviewer
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
Contact us for information about copying. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2071 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2001
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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