John Derum

Notes

[email protected] John began his professional career in 1963 acting in theatre, radio and television. However from the age of 10 he had studied and performed in a wide range of choral music and musical plays as a member of the Australian Boys Choir. He also competed and performed widely in Irish and folk dancing. He has now acted, directed and produced for theatre companies and for television throughout Australia. Highlights among John’s theatre roles include Kostya in The Seagull (Adelaide Festival 1970), Peer Gynt (Sydney Opera House 1975), Mr Mantelini and others in Nicholas Nickelby (STC 1983-85), Reverend Parris in The Crucible (Sydney Theatre Company 1991-93) and numerous revues, musicals and variety performances. John first directed for Melbourne Theatre Company in 1972 (“Father, Dear Father-In-Law”), Bondi Pavilion Theatre (“Same Difference”), 8 productions for Canberra’s Theatre ACT and directed and lectured in six different University Theatre faculties. \r\n On television, his appearances include: Episode 1 of Homicide in 1964 to roles in G.P. and Mother and Son in the 1990s. He played B.A.Santamaria in “True Believers” (1987) and Francis James in “The Gadfly” (1990). He was in the final edition of the legendary The Mavis Bramston Show (1975) and a number of comedy and revue series including The Thursday Creek Mob (1969-70), The True Blue Show (1975), Doctors Down Under (1979), The Aunty Jack Show (1971-72) and Ratbags (1982). John has become identified to some extent with his interpretation of the work of Australian writers, particularly C.J.Dennis. John performed “More Than A Sentimental Bloke”, his tribute to Dennis, more than 500 times around Australia. He has also recorded and performed “The Songs Of A Sentimental Bloke” and the Dennis masterpiece “The Glugs Of Gosh”. For ABC television, John hosted more than 200 editions of the national quiz “The Oz Game” and more than 50 episodes of the Australian music and folklore program “That’s Australia”. John was Artistic Director of the Canberra Company “Theatre ACT’ in 1985-86. And was awarded a Literary Fellowship at the Australian Defence Force Academy (University of NSW) in 1990 which enabled the publication of the expanded script of “More Than A Sentimental Bloke”. Between 1996 and 1999 John was the General Manager of the Independent Theatre in North Sydney, charged with overseeing the completion of the restoration and the successful re-opening of that historic theatre. John was elected to Blue Mountains City Council and was a councillor from 1995 to 1999. He was appointed to the Theatre Committee of the NSW Government Arts Advisory Board, and was electorate adviser to NSW Minister for the Environment and Attorney General. He has always been active in Actors' Equity, has twice taken elected office and he founded the actors’ group, Actors Forum. After working as a political adviser between 2000 and 2007, John resumed his career as actor and director. He has directed more than a dozen rehearsed readings of new scripts. And productions including, “Waiting For Gotterson” by Sam Atwell (Shorter and Sweeter One Act plays July 2008, and its return season at Newtown Theatre in September 2008), “The Waxeuse” (Xmas Sushi, 2008), “Housebound” (Crime Scenes 2009). John’s performance in “A Safe Pair Of Hands” won Best Actor in Short and Sweet, 2009, and the production won Best Overall Production. \r\nHe played Augustus Lorton in “Lady Windermere’s Fan” (Darlinghurst Theatre March/April, 2009). * Best Actor Short and Sweet Sydney 2009