Terence Clarke (composer)
Encyclopedia
Terence Clarke works in theatre as director and composer (mainly), and, to a lesser extent, as actor, pianist/MD, teacher, and dramaturg. He was born on 10 February 1935, educated at Shore
and the University of Sydney
(resident S. Paul's College
), graduating BA with first class honours in Music. His career has swung between the poles of music and theatre, on the one hand, and teaching on the other. He taught at All Saints' College, Bathurst
(where he had received his primary schooling) and Cranbrook School, Sydney, where he became head of mathematics and in charge of drama. While abroad in 1959-60 he had acted at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury; in 1970 he left schoolteaching to return to theatre and music, at first acting and MD-ing for Nimrod Theatre. His appointments have included: Associate Director of Perth's National Theatre Company (the then state theatre company), where he also acted; founding Artistic Director of the Hunter Valley Theatre Company, Australia's first professional regional theatre company; Artistic Director of the Australian National Playwrights Conference; and Head of Directing at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
, where he continues to do some teaching. He directed the world premieres of A Happy and Holy Occasion (John O'Donoghue) and Backyard (Janis Balodis
). He has taught at the West Australian Institute of Technology, the University of Newcastle
, and the University of New South Wales
, where he held a demi-lectureship for a year.
He wrote three musicals to book and lyrics by the late Nick Enright
: The Venetian Twins
(cast album, Folkways Records), produced by all state theatre companies, and toured; Variations (Winner of the Play Award, New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards
, 1983), not seen since its original Nimrod Theatre production in 1982; and Summer Rain, commissioned by NIDA for the graduating class of 1984 and directed by Gale Edwards
, later revised three times for productions at the Sydney and Queensland Theatre Companies. His other compositions include: a ballad opera, Flash Jim Vaux (book and lyrics, Ron Blair; Blair later dropped 'Vaux' from the title); five plays with music - Catspaw and Jarrabin (both Dorothy Hewett
), Lysistrata (John Croyston), Henry and Peter and Henry and Me (George Hutchinson), and Gone with Hardy (David Allen
); incidental music; and song-settings.
In 2007 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia
'for service to the performing arts as a director, actor, writer, composer, and educator'.
Sydney Church of England Grammar School
Sydney Church of England Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school for boys, located in North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
and the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
(resident S. Paul's College
St. Paul's College, Sydney
St Paul's College in Sydney, Australia, is an Anglican residential college for men which is affiliated with the University of Sydney. Founded in 1856 by an 1854 act of the New South Wales Legislative Council, it is Australia's oldest university college...
), graduating BA with first class honours in Music. His career has swung between the poles of music and theatre, on the one hand, and teaching on the other. He taught at All Saints' College, Bathurst
All Saints College, Bathurst
All Saints' College is an independent, co-educational Christian college in the Anglican tradition. Located in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, the college caters for day students from Transition to Year 12 and boarders from Years 7 to 12....
(where he had received his primary schooling) and Cranbrook School, Sydney, where he became head of mathematics and in charge of drama. While abroad in 1959-60 he had acted at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury; in 1970 he left schoolteaching to return to theatre and music, at first acting and MD-ing for Nimrod Theatre. His appointments have included: Associate Director of Perth's National Theatre Company (the then state theatre company), where he also acted; founding Artistic Director of the Hunter Valley Theatre Company, Australia's first professional regional theatre company; Artistic Director of the Australian National Playwrights Conference; and Head of Directing at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
National Institute of Dramatic Art
The National Institute of Dramatic Art is an Australian national training institute for students of theatre, film, and television, based in the Sydney suburb of Kensington. It is supported by the federal Office for the Arts, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. NIDA is located adjacent...
, where he continues to do some teaching. He directed the world premieres of A Happy and Holy Occasion (John O'Donoghue) and Backyard (Janis Balodis
Janis Balodis
Jānis Balodis was an army officer and politician who was a principal figure in the foundation and government of independent Latvia. He was commander in chief of the army and navy during the Latvian war of independence and later was a cabinet member and vice president...
). He has taught at the West Australian Institute of Technology, the University of Newcastle
University of Newcastle, Australia
The University of Newcastle is an Australian public university that was established in 1965. The University's main and largest campus is located in Callaghan, a suburb of Newcastle in New South Wales...
, and the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, where he held a demi-lectureship for a year.
He wrote three musicals to book and lyrics by the late Nick Enright
Nick Enright
-Life:He was drama captain of St Ignatius' College, Riverview in 1964, where, like Gerard Windsor and Justin Fleming, he was taught by Melvyn Morrow. At that school, he won the 1sts Debating Premiership in both 1966 and 1967....
: The Venetian Twins
The Venetian Twins (musical comedy)
The Venetian Twins is an Australian two-act musical comedy. It was translated and adapted from a commedia dell'arte play - I due gemelli veneziani by Carlo Goldoni -, and the lyrics were written, by Nick Enright; the music was composed and arranged by Terence Clarke. It premiered on 26 October 1979...
(cast album, Folkways Records), produced by all state theatre companies, and toured; Variations (Winner of the Play Award, New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards
New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards
The New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards were established in 1979 by the New South Wales Premier Neville Wran. Commenting on its purpose, Wran said: "We want the arts to take, and be seen to take, their proper place in our social priorities...
, 1983), not seen since its original Nimrod Theatre production in 1982; and Summer Rain, commissioned by NIDA for the graduating class of 1984 and directed by Gale Edwards
Gale Edwards
Gale Edwards is an Australian theatre director, who has worked extensively throughout Australia and internationally. She has also directed for television and film. She began her career at Adelaide youth theatre company Energy Connection...
, later revised three times for productions at the Sydney and Queensland Theatre Companies. His other compositions include: a ballad opera, Flash Jim Vaux (book and lyrics, Ron Blair; Blair later dropped 'Vaux' from the title); five plays with music - Catspaw and Jarrabin (both Dorothy Hewett
Dorothy Hewett
Dorothy Coade Hewett was an Australian feminist poet, novelist, librettist and playwright. She was also a member of the Communist Party of Australia, though she clashed on many occasions with the party's leadership.-Early life:Hewett was born in Perth and was brought up on a sheep and wheat farm...
), Lysistrata (John Croyston), Henry and Peter and Henry and Me (George Hutchinson), and Gone with Hardy (David Allen
David Allen (playwright)
David Allen is an Australian playwright. He is notable for his play Cheapside, which has been shown at the Warehouse Theatre and the White Barn Theatre....
); incidental music; and song-settings.
In 2007 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
'for service to the performing arts as a director, actor, writer, composer, and educator'.