Simon Prast
Encyclopedia
Simon Prast is a director and actor from Auckland
, New Zealand
. Prast was the founder of the Auckland Theatre Company
and director of the first Auckland Festival
AK03.
and Auckland Grammar School
. He holds a Law Degree (LLB) from the University of Auckland
and is a graduate of Theatre Corporate.
and Mercury
theatres in Auckland after graduating from the Theatre Corporate Drama School in 1984. He made his professional debut opposite Michael Hurst
in Theatre Corporate’s 1985 production of Torch Song Trilogy
.
After founding the Auckland Theatre Company
in 1992 and being its first Director from March 1992 - February 2003 he produced and / or directed over sixty mainbill productions including The Graduate, The Rocky Horror Show, Haruru Mai, The Daylight Atheist, Hair, Death of a Salesman, Wit, Art, Closer, The Judas Kiss, A Streetcar Named Desire and 12 Angry Men.
Prast's production of 12 Angry Men was named ‘Production of the Decade’ by the theatre’s subscribers.
. In 1987 he returned to television, appearing as Alistair Redfern in the New Zealand soap opera Gloss
. In 1992 he starred in the drama movie about the French terrorist attack
on a Greenpeace
boat in Auckland Harbour in 1985. The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior
also starred Sam Neill
and Jon Voight
. He appeared as Nurse Paul Churchill on several episodes of the soap opera Shortland Street
(1995-1996). Prast was a co-star in the 1998 New Zealand movie, When Love Comes Along, with Rena Owen
and Dean O'Gorman
, directed by Garth Maxwell.
He has appeared in several other series, and is presently (2011-12) guest-starring as Jeffrey Duff in Go Girls
.
, which was marketed as AK03, a biennial arts and cultural festival. The festival is a celebration of the distinct and unique nature of Auckland and in particular the Pacific influence.
as co-host for the first Coca-Cola 24-hour Music Weekend. In 1988 he also performed on the Telethon, alongside Eastenders
star Letitia Dean
and Dalvanius Prime
with the Patea Maori Club. In the same programme, he performed "I’m Glad I'm Not A Kennedy" with Shona Laing
.
In 1998, on the TV arts programme Backchat (hosted by Bill Ralston
), Prast debated local politician Craig Little for an increase in regional funding for the arts. Shortly after the debate, $10million was set aside for supporting arts events of regional significance to Auckland
.
In 2009 Prast appeared as an arts commentator on TVNZ's Breakfast programme, sharply criticising the Auckland City Council for overspending on International Theatre Productions.
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Prast was the founder of the Auckland Theatre Company
Auckland Theatre Company
Auckland Theatre Company is the largest professional theatre company in Auckland, New Zealand. It was founded in 1992 following the bankruptcy of Mercury Theatre, Auckland's original professional theatre company which had been the largest subsidised company in the country.The current artistic...
and director of the first Auckland Festival
Auckland Festival
The Auckland Festival is a biennial arts and cultural festival held in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland. The Festival features works from New Zealand, the Pacific, Asia and beyond, including world premieres of new works and international performing arts events.-History:Auckland was the first...
AK03.
Early life
Prast grew up in Otara and Waikowhai, Auckland. He was educated at Waikowhai Primary, King's SchoolKing's School (Auckland)
King's School is a primary school for boys from Years 1 to 8 . It is situated in Auckland, New Zealand, and it also has strong links to the Anglican church; the Anglican Bishop of Auckland and the Dean of Auckland are permanent members of the school's Board Of Governors...
and Auckland Grammar School
Auckland Grammar School
Auckland Grammar School is a state secondary school for years 9 to 13 boys in Auckland, New Zealand. It had a roll of 2,483 in 2008, including a number of boarders who live in nearby Tibbs' House, making it one of the largest schools in New Zealand...
. He holds a Law Degree (LLB) from the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
and is a graduate of Theatre Corporate.
Theatre
Prast performed at both the DownstageDownstage Theatre
The Downstage Theatre is a theatre in Wellington, New Zealand, and the country's longest running professional theatre, established in 1964.The founders at the inaugural meeting in the Wellington Public Library on 15 May 1964 were actors Peter Bland, Tim Elliott and Martyn Sanderson, with...
and Mercury
Mercury Theatre (Auckland)
The Mercury Theatre is a theatre in Auckland, New Zealand, located on Mercury Lane, off Karangahape Road. It was built in 1910, by the architect Edward Bartley and is the oldest surviving theatre in Auckland. Built in the English Baroque style, it was initially known as the Kings Theatre. However,...
theatres in Auckland after graduating from the Theatre Corporate Drama School in 1984. He made his professional debut opposite Michael Hurst
Michael Hurst
Michael Eric Hurst, ONZM is a New Zealand actor, director and writer, mostly on stage and television. He is probably best known internationally for playing Iolaus in the television programs Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and companion series Xena: Warrior Princess...
in Theatre Corporate’s 1985 production of Torch Song Trilogy
Torch Song Trilogy
Torch Song Trilogy is a collection of three plays by Harvey Fierstein rendered in three acts: International Stud, Fugue in a Nursery, and Widows and Children First! The story centers on Arnold Beckoff, a torch song-singing Jewish drag queen living in New York City in the late 1970 and 1980s...
.
After founding the Auckland Theatre Company
Auckland Theatre Company
Auckland Theatre Company is the largest professional theatre company in Auckland, New Zealand. It was founded in 1992 following the bankruptcy of Mercury Theatre, Auckland's original professional theatre company which had been the largest subsidised company in the country.The current artistic...
in 1992 and being its first Director from March 1992 - February 2003 he produced and / or directed over sixty mainbill productions including The Graduate, The Rocky Horror Show, Haruru Mai, The Daylight Atheist, Hair, Death of a Salesman, Wit, Art, Closer, The Judas Kiss, A Streetcar Named Desire and 12 Angry Men.
Prast's production of 12 Angry Men was named ‘Production of the Decade’ by the theatre’s subscribers.
Film and television
Prast made his television debut in 1983 in the New Zealand drama series Mortimer's PatchMortimer's Patch
Mortimer's Patch was a popular TVNZ police drama from the early 1980s. It featured actors Terence Cooper, Sean Duffy, Don Selwyn and Jim Hickey and depicted detective and police work in the fictional town of "Cobham". It was filmed in and around Henderson, New Zealand.**...
. In 1987 he returned to television, appearing as Alistair Redfern in the New Zealand soap opera Gloss
Gloss (TV series)
Gloss was a television drama series in New Zealand that screened from 1987-1990. The series was about a fictional publishing empire run by the Redfern family....
. In 1992 he starred in the drama movie about the French terrorist attack
Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior
The sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, codenamed Opération Satanique, was an operation by the "action" branch of the French foreign intelligence services, the Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure , carried out on July 10, 1985...
on a Greenpeace
Greenpeace
Greenpeace is a non-governmental environmental organization with offices in over forty countries and with an international coordinating body in Amsterdam, The Netherlands...
boat in Auckland Harbour in 1985. The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior
The Rainbow Warrior (film)
The Rainbow Warrior, sometimes called The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, is a 1992 television film starring Sam Neill and Jon Voight.-Plot summary:...
also starred Sam Neill
Sam Neill
Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill, DCNZM, OBE is a New Zealand actor. He is well known for his starring role as paleontologist Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III....
and Jon Voight
Jon Voight
Jonathan Vincent "Jon" Voight is an American actor. He has received an Academy Award, out of four nominations, and three Golden Globe Awards, out of nine nominations. Voight is the father of actress Angelina Jolie....
. He appeared as Nurse Paul Churchill on several episodes of the soap opera Shortland Street
Shortland Street
Shortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
(1995-1996). Prast was a co-star in the 1998 New Zealand movie, When Love Comes Along, with Rena Owen
Rena Owen
Rena Owen is a New Zealand actress in film, theatre and television. She is of Maori, Torres Strait Islander and Pakeha descent. Owen is most well known in the lead role of Beth in the cult classic movie Once Were Warriors directed by Lee Tamahori...
and Dean O'Gorman
Dean O'Gorman
-Early life:Born in Auckland, New Zealand; he has a brother named Brett. He attended Rangitoto College and earned a black belt in karate by the age of ten. -Career:...
, directed by Garth Maxwell.
He has appeared in several other series, and is presently (2011-12) guest-starring as Jeffrey Duff in Go Girls
Go Girls
Go Girls is a New Zealand comedy/drama television series centering around four adult friends, Amy, Britta, Cody and Kevin, who live on the North Shore, Auckland...
.
Auckland Festival
Prast organised the first Auckland FestivalAuckland Festival
The Auckland Festival is a biennial arts and cultural festival held in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland. The Festival features works from New Zealand, the Pacific, Asia and beyond, including world premieres of new works and international performing arts events.-History:Auckland was the first...
, which was marketed as AK03, a biennial arts and cultural festival. The festival is a celebration of the distinct and unique nature of Auckland and in particular the Pacific influence.
Other Television Appearances
In 1988 Prast joined TV star Jay Laga'aiaJay Laga'aia
Jay Laga'aia is an actor and singer. He is best known internationally for his role as Captain Typho in the films Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.-Career:...
as co-host for the first Coca-Cola 24-hour Music Weekend. In 1988 he also performed on the Telethon, alongside Eastenders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
star Letitia Dean
Letitia Dean
Letitia Dean is an English actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Sharon Watts in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders, who was one of the serial's original characters. Dean was part of the original cast in 1985 and remained in the series until 1995...
and Dalvanius Prime
Dalvanius Prime
Maui Dalvanius Prime was a New Zealand entertainer and songwriter. His career spanned 30 years. He mentored many of New Zealand's Māori performers, and was a vocal and forthright supporter of Māori culture.-Early life:...
with the Patea Maori Club. In the same programme, he performed "I’m Glad I'm Not A Kennedy" with Shona Laing
Shona Laing
Shona Laing is a New Zealand musician. She has had several hits in her native country, as well as a few minor international hits, most notably " Not a Kennedy" and "Soviet Snow". Laing also contributed to the Manfred Mann's Earth Band album Somewhere in Afrika...
.
In 1998, on the TV arts programme Backchat (hosted by Bill Ralston
Bill Ralston
Bill Ralston is a New Zealand journalist, broadcaster, and media personality, active in television, radio and print. He has worked as a political correspondent, fronted the television arts show Backch@t, and was the head of news and current affairs at TVNZ from 2003 to 2007...
), Prast debated local politician Craig Little for an increase in regional funding for the arts. Shortly after the debate, $10million was set aside for supporting arts events of regional significance to Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
.
In 2009 Prast appeared as an arts commentator on TVNZ's Breakfast programme, sharply criticising the Auckland City Council for overspending on International Theatre Productions.
Television
- Mortimer’s PatchMortimer's PatchMortimer's Patch was a popular TVNZ police drama from the early 1980s. It featured actors Terence Cooper, Sean Duffy, Don Selwyn and Jim Hickey and depicted detective and police work in the fictional town of "Cobham". It was filmed in and around Henderson, New Zealand.**...
(1983) - GlossGloss (TV series)Gloss was a television drama series in New Zealand that screened from 1987-1990. The series was about a fictional publishing empire run by the Redfern family....
as Alistair Redfern (1987–1990) - Erebus: The AftermathErebus: The AftermathErebus: The Aftermath was a 1988 New Zealand television miniseries about Air New Zealand Flight 901, which crashed in Antarctica in 1979. The miniseries, a docudrama, was produced by Television New Zealand, and was broadcast in New Zealand and Australia...
(1988) - Shortland StreetShortland StreetShortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
as Nurse Paul Churchill (1993, 1994, 1995) - Hercules: The Legendary JourneysHercules: The Legendary JourneysHercules: The Legendary Journeys is a television series, filmed in New Zealand and the United States. It was produced from 1995, and was very loosely based on the tales of the classical Greek culture hero Heracles...
as First Soldier (1995–1996) - Mercy PeakMercy PeakMercy Peak was a New Zealand drama television series that ran for three seasons on TV One between 2001 and 2004.-Cast:*Sara Wiseman as Nicky Somerville*Jeffrey Thomas as William Kingsley...
as Tom Strachey (2001–2003) - Serial Killers as Dr. Harrington (2004)
- Go GirlsGo GirlsGo Girls is a New Zealand comedy/drama television series centering around four adult friends, Amy, Britta, Cody and Kevin, who live on the North Shore, Auckland...
as Jeffrey Duff (2010-present)
Films
- The Sinking of the Rainbow WarriorThe Rainbow Warrior (film)The Rainbow Warrior, sometimes called The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, is a 1992 television film starring Sam Neill and Jon Voight.-Plot summary:...
as Louis Deschamps (1992) - When Love Comes Along which premiered at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival
- You Move, You Die an Indie Thriller written and directed by Ketzal Sterling