Peter O'Brien heading to His Majesty's Theatre in Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None
The desire to live a nomadic existence has been the motivation behind a great many decisions Australian actor Peter O'Brien has made throughout his life, especially on his career path.
Raised in outback South Australian, O'Brien was studying a Bachelor of Science and Teaching degree at Adelaide's Flinders University when he discovered great creative joy in the university revue scene.
'It wasn't like I showed some extraordinary aptitude or gift for it, but I found it a world that was really interesting; the collaborative process and the creativity,' 65-year-old O'Brien says.
'There's a similar thread that runs through it like preparing for a game of sport. It's that preparation, and then out you go. That's something that I understood quite well, and every few months there was a possibility of a new job, and travel with it.
'I certainly wasn't seeking to go and be famous or anything, but it was a great chance to find somewhere in that industry that I could fit in, whether it was in front or behind the camera, or on stage or off-stage.
'From my original desire to be creative and travel, it certainly has fulfilled that and scratched that itch.'
Film and television roles — from Neighbours, as original cast member Shane Ramsay, and The Flying Doctors to Halifax f.p. and White Collar Blue — have seen O'Brien travel back and forth to Australia for work as he has spent the past 30 years living everywhere from the UK and US to stints in China, Canada, and South America.
He and actor wife Miranda Otto have temporarily moved back to Australia while their daughter Darcey studies at university in Sydney.
'We put the pets on the plane and brought them back, but we didn't do a Johnny Depp, we brought them through the right way,' he chuckles.
The move has seen O'Brien reunite with director Robyn Nevin for Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, having worked with her on Sydney Theatre Company's 2003 production of A Doll's House, and knowing Nevin's previous success directing Christie's The Mousetrap.
Intrigued by the stage adaptation of Christie's bestselling crime novel, O'Brien signed on for the challenge of character William Blore, also eager for the chance to tour the Australian production to Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide.
Considered one of the greatest edge-of-your-seat thrillers Christie ever wrote, And Then There Were None follows 10 strangers who are invited to a solitary mansion on an island off the English coast.
After a storm isolates them from the mainland, the real reason behind their gathering starts to emerge, taking on a grim reality.
'Agatha Christie always puts these complicated and veiled characters into shows in a way that you are intrigued,' O'Brien says.
'There's a lot of intrigue about William and his involvement in the story. He's a lot of fun, sometimes to his and my detriment.
'Every time he walks into the room, he changes the course of the play where there is an energy or a situation that he either creates, or is involved in, that relaunches or pivots the play in a way.
'There's a tapestry to Agatha Christie's works as she weaves them. It's not that characters are deliberately being deceptive, trying to deceive people, but there's always an area of intrigue about them, of 'why are they doing that?'. It's in her writing of dialogue and situations.'
The production premiered in Melbourne in February, where it has been captivating audiences night after night with all the elements of mystery, suspense and humour expected of a Christie narrative.
Alongside O'Brien in the 11-strong cast are Nicholas Hammond, Jennifer Flowers, Grant Piro and Anthony Phelan, plus WA Academy of Performing Arts graduates Tom Stokes, Mia Morrissey and Eden Falk.
'The response has just been unanimous rapture,' he says.
'I guess you're only as good as your audience reaction, and that's been enormous. I've really enjoyed it. It takes you along with it from the moment the curtain goes up, and you've just got to keep up. Tell Perth audiences to put their running shoes on when they come.'
And Then There Were None is at His Majesty's Theatre, June 8 to 29. Tickets at andthentherewerenone.com.au.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘We have no choice': Bar owners drive a levy to make sure the music won't die
In a move that its owners claim is an Australian first, Sooki Lounge in Belgrave will begin charging customers a $1 levy to help cover the costs of public liability insurance the bar has identified as a threat to its ongoing operation as a live music venue. 'We have no choice,' says Stephen Crombie, who runs the venue in the foothills of Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges with his partner, Suzana Pozvek. 'But I don't want to just whack up the booking fee because it needs to be educational. 'I need the customer to understand that's where it's going, and that Oztix [the venue's online ticketing partner] is not gouging and Sooki Lounge is not gouging here.' To that end, he plans to share a video explaining the move on social media in the next two weeks, including his latest premium, a copy of which is already on public display at the bar. 'Insurance' is probably not the first word that springs to mind when you think live music (the words 'sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll', on the other hand …) But for many venue operators who have been struggling to stay afloat since the disruptions wrought by COVID and ongoing cost-of-living pressures, the issue is an absolute chart topper. Loading Multiple inquiries into the state of live music and the festival scene have heard that the soaring cost of public liability insurance is a key factor in a crisis that has plagued the sector for more than four years. The increase for cover on Sooki's 330-capacity venue – which is open four nights a week and is only occasionally sold out – has been massive. Pre-COVID, it cost about $15,000 annually. The latest bill, issued less than a fortnight ago, came in at $61,035. To pay it, Crombie and Pozvek need finance, and that increases the total to about $65,000. It's little wonder then that so many venues have simply given up. According to an industry survey released in late 2023, more than 1300 had closed doors or stopped hosting live music since the pandemic, which is about one-quarter of all the sector's venues in Australia. More recent figures are not available, but anecdotal evidence suggests the situation has not improved, as higher living costs and the trend to lower alcohol consumption on premises continue to blow holes in the business model.
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
‘We have no choice': Bar owners drive a levy to make sure the music won't die
In a move that its owners claim is an Australian first, Sooki Lounge in Belgrave will begin charging customers a $1 levy to help cover the costs of public liability insurance the bar has identified as a threat to its ongoing operation as a live music venue. 'We have no choice,' says Stephen Crombie, who runs the venue in the foothills of Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges with his partner, Suzana Pozvek. 'But I don't want to just whack up the booking fee because it needs to be educational. 'I need the customer to understand that's where it's going, and that Oztix [the venue's online ticketing partner] is not gouging and Sooki Lounge is not gouging here.' To that end, he plans to share a video explaining the move on social media in the next two weeks, including his latest premium, a copy of which is already on public display at the bar. 'Insurance' is probably not the first word that springs to mind when you think live music (the words 'sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll', on the other hand …) But for many venue operators who have been struggling to stay afloat since the disruptions wrought by COVID and ongoing cost-of-living pressures, the issue is an absolute chart topper. Loading Multiple inquiries into the state of live music and the festival scene have heard that the soaring cost of public liability insurance is a key factor in a crisis that has plagued the sector for more than four years. The increase for cover on Sooki's 330-capacity venue – which is open four nights a week and is only occasionally sold out – has been massive. Pre-COVID, it cost about $15,000 annually. The latest bill, issued less than a fortnight ago, came in at $61,035. To pay it, Crombie and Pozvek need finance, and that increases the total to about $65,000. It's little wonder then that so many venues have simply given up. According to an industry survey released in late 2023, more than 1300 had closed doors or stopped hosting live music since the pandemic, which is about one-quarter of all the sector's venues in Australia. More recent figures are not available, but anecdotal evidence suggests the situation has not improved, as higher living costs and the trend to lower alcohol consumption on premises continue to blow holes in the business model.
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Newcastle Comedy Club: Friday Night Comedy - Fri 27 Jun to Fri 22 Aug
Community Newcastle Comedy Club: Friday Night Comedy When Fri 27 June 7.30pm Repeats weekly, each Fri, until August 22 2025 Where Newcastle Comedy Club Get Directions Head over to Newcastle Comedy Club on Darby Street for a rolling lineup of comedians - from locals to travelling comedians from Sydney, interstate and worldwide every single week. You can expect to see 5-6 different acts, with different styles so there is something for everyone. Discover the next big thing in Australian comedy before everyone else! Strictly 18+.
