Michele Fawdon (1947–2011) was an English-born Australian actress and singer. She is known for her roles in TV serials Matlock Police (1971–1974), The Unisexers (1975) and A Country Practice (1980, 1985, 1992). In 1979 she won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Cathy's Child (1979) and Australian Film Institute Award for Best Lead Actress for a Telefeature for The Fish Are Safe (1986) in 1987. She died of an unspecified cancer.
Michele Fawdon | |
---|---|
Born | Harrow, London, England | 15 December 1947
Died | 23 May 2011 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | (aged 63)
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1967–2010 |
Early life
editMichele Fawdon was born on 15 December 1947 in Harrow, London, as the oldest of three children of Yvonne and John Fawdon, a pilot for BOAC.[1][2] She had polio as a child and took ballet lessons to strengthen her leg.[1] Some of Fawdon's childhood was spent based in Hong Kong and Singapore and Ghana.[2] From the age of 12 she attended a theatrical boarding school in Sussex and completed an examination by London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.[2] The Fawdons emigrated to Sydney in August 1964.[1] She studied at the Ensemble Theatre for three years.[2]
Career
editFawdon's first television role was an appearance in the fourth episode of the drama series, You Can't See 'Round Corners, which was broadcast from July 1967.[2][3] In August of that year she took the role of Deanne in the comedy play, All Things Bright and Beautiful, at Ensemble Theatre.[4][5] The Australian Jewish Times reviewer felt her performance was "outstanding" showing "certainty was matched by most of the other characters."[4] She took the role of Elizabeth Green, a miner's wife, in the musical feature film, Stockade (December 1971), which is set in the era of the Eureka Stockade.[6] From March to May of that year she acted in the play of the same name at the Independent Theatre.[2][5]
The artist's breakthrough musical theatre role was as Mary Magdalene in the original Australian stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar from March to May 1972, which toured to Adelaide, West Melbourne, Launceston, Brisbane and Haymarket.[1] According to Patricia Morgan of The Australian Women's Weekly, Fawdon is "a green-eyed blonde, aged 24. She is 5ft. 3in. [= 5.25 feet (160 cm)], ideally proportioned, and of pearl-cream complexion. In short, she's a stunner. She is also a singing actress who hasn't been out of work one day since she arrived from England."[2] W. L. Hoffmann of The Canberra Times caught the premiere in Adelaide, "Fawdon was an appealing and musically excellent Mary Magdalene."[7] She was recorded for the soundtrack album, Jesus Christ Superstar (Original Australian Cast Recording) (late 1972).[8] In the following year Fawdon was replaced as Magdalene by Marcia Hines.[8]
Fawdon's various television roles were in Matlock Police (1971, 1972, 1973, 1974), The Unisexers (1975), The Sullivans (1979), Cop Shop (1979, 1980), Young Ramsay (1980), and A Country Practice (1980, 1985, 1992).[9] In the drama feature film, Cathy's Child (1979), she performed the theme song.[9] For the role, the actress met and spoke with the Maltese-born, Australian resident Cathy Baikas, whom she portrays.[10] She then "mixed with the Maltese community, working for a while in a clothing factory to get the feeling of the accent and the day-to-day concerns."[10] At the 1979 Australian Film Institute Awards Fawdon won Best Actress in a Leading Role for Cathy's Child.[9][11]
Fawdon played the role of Australian 19th-century painter Jane Sutherland in the July 1985 ABC-TV mini-series, One Summer Again, which focusses on the Heidelberg School of artists of the 1880s.[9][12] Also in that year she starred in the feature film, Unfinished Business as Maureen, who is trying to get pregnant by her ex-boyfriend (John Clayton) as her husband (Norman Kaye) is sterile.[13] It was directed by Bob Ellis. At the 1985 Australian Film Institute Awards she was nominated for Best Lead Actress for her role.[9][14] Australian film critic, David Stratton, who first saw the film in 2012, observed, "I don't see [Clayton] as having been quite as good as [Ellis] thinks, but [Fawdon] was worthy of her AFI nom. And that's about it..."[15]
In 1986 she portrayed Lena Ranger in the ABC-TV telemovie, The Fish Are Safe, which was directed by Noni Hazelhurst.[9][16] For the role of Lena, Fawdon won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Lead Actress for a Telefeature in 1987.[9][17] In 1990 Fawdon appeared as Rose Peterson in the New Zealand film, The Rogue Stallion. She played Judge Cath in four episodes of Marshall Law (2002).[9] Her last screen appearance was as Lorna Shanks in three episodes of Killing Time (2011).[18]
Personal life
editFawdon met her domestic partner, Geoff Jenkins, when both appeared in Manning Clark's History of Australia: The Musical in 1988.[1] They had a child together in 1995.[1] Michele Fawdon died on 23 May 2011, from cancer, aged 63.[1]
Filmography
editFilm
editTitel | Year | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stockade | 1971 | Elizabeth Green | Feature film (previously acted in the play version) | [6][9] |
The Golden Cage | 1975 | Guitar Player | Feature film | [19] |
They Don't Clap Losers | 1975 | Kay | Telemovie | [9][20] |
Cass | 1978 | Cass | Telemovie. Wrote and sang, "Compliments" | [9] |
Cathy's Child | 1979 | Cathy Baikas | Feature film. Sang theme song | [9] |
...Maybe This Time | 1980 | Margo | Feature film | [21] |
Unfinished Business | 1985 | Maureen | Feature film | [9] |
The Fish Are Safe | 1986 | Lena Ranger | Telemovie | [9] |
Travelling North | 1987 | Helen | Feature film | [9] |
The Place at the Coast | 1987 | Aunt Helen | Feature film | [22] |
Captain Johnno | 1988 | Kathleen | Telemovie | [9] |
The Rogue Stallion | 1990 | Rose Petersen | Telemovie | |
The Glenmoore Job | 2005 | Beverley | Telemovie | [23][24] |
Television
editTitel | Year | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
You Can't See 'Round Corners | 1967 | TV series, 1 episode | [2] | |
Snake Gully with Dad and Dave | 1972 | Mabel Smith | TV series | [25] |
Ryan | 1973-74 | Susan Morrison, Mia Sinclair | TV series, 2 episodes | [9] |
Matlock Police | 1971-74 | Lindy Smith, Mary, Toni Black, Betty Lee | TV series, 4 episodes | [9] |
Homicide | 1975 | Pam Dunn | TV series | [9] |
The Unisexers | 1975 | Monica Parry | TV series, all episodes | [9] |
Loss of Innocence | 1978 | TV miniseries | [9] | |
The Mike Walsh Show | 1979 | Guest - Herself | TV series, 1 episode | |
Cop Shop | 1979-80 | Heather Kendall, Cindy Carter | TV series, two episodes | [9] |
Young Ramsay | 1980 | Toni Fields | TV series | [9] |
Punishment | 1981 | Susan Morrison | TV series | [9] |
Spring & Fall | 1982 | Laurie | TV series | [9] |
Special Squad | 1984 | Maggie | TV series | [9] |
One Summer Again | 1985 | Jane Sutherland | TV miniseries, 3 episodes | [9] |
Winners | 1985 | Mrs. Doyle | TV series | [9] |
The Flying Doctors | 1987 | Ann Larson | TV series | [9] |
Rafferty's Rules | 1988 | Narelle Saxon | TV series | [9] |
Australians | 1988 | Melena Longford | TV miniseries, "Lottie Lyell" episode | |
Captain Johnno | 1988 | Kathleen | Telemovie | [9] |
Joe Wilson | 1988 | Hilda | TV miniseries | [9] |
Fields of Fire III | 1989 | Iris | TV miniseries | [9] |
All the Rivers Run II | 1990 | Ruth | TV miniseries | [9] |
A Country Practice | 1980-92 | Barbara Walsh, Marge Owens, Dianne Klein | TV series, 6 episodes | [9] |
G.P. | 1992–96 | Sister Bernice, Jean Taylor | TV series | [9] |
All Saints | 1998-99 | Paula Marchetti, Denise Baumann | TV series | [9] |
Water Rats | 1998, 2000 | Joan Curtis, Mary Tully | TV series | [9] |
Blue Heelers | 2001 | Shirley Wilkie | TV series | [9] |
Marshall Law | 2002 | Judge Cath | TV miniseries, 4 episodes | [9] |
Stingers | 2003 | Fran Hadley | TV series | [9] |
MDA | 2003 | Cynthia Morice | TV series | [9] |
Fergus McPhail | 2004 | Mrs. Mobbs | TV series | [9] |
Bastard Boys | 2007 | Lyn Tully | TV miniseries | [9] |
City Homicide | 2009 | Beverley Cowles | TV series | [9] |
Killing Time | 2011 | Lorna Shanks | TV miniseries, 3 ;episodes | [9] |
Theatre
editTitel | Year | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1967 | All Things Bright and Beautiful | Deanne | Ensemble Theatre |
1971 | Stockade | Independent Theatre | |
1972 | Jesus Christ Superstar | Mary Magdalene | Australian tour |
1981 | Teeth ‘n’ Smiles | Nimrod Theatre Company | |
1981 | Three Sisters | Nimrod Theatre Company | |
1981 | Tales from the Vienna Woods | Nimrod Theatre Company | |
1981 | Cloud 9 | Nimrod Theatre Company | |
1983 | Tristram Shandy | Nimrod Theatre Company | |
1983 | Burn Victim | Nimrod Theatre Company | |
1983 | Uncle Vanya | Nimrod Theatre Company | |
1988 | Manning Clark's History of Australia | Princess Theatre, Melbourne |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Taylor, Greg (4 June 2011). "AFI-winning actor also sang for supper". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Morgan, Patricia (26 January 1972). "The Stars of Superstar". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 39, no. 35. p. 4. Retrieved 25 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "You Can't See 'Round Corners – Review – Photos". Ozmovies. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ a b W. B. (17 August 1967). "All Things Bright and Beautiful". The Australian Jewish Times. Vol. 74, no. 47. Sydney. p. 2. Retrieved 25 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b "Contributor: Michele Fawdon". AusStage. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Australia's Little War". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 39, no. 9. 28 July 1971. p. 8. Retrieved 25 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Hoffmann, W. L. (17 March 1972). "An unforgettable premiere". The Canberra Times. Vol. 46, no. 13, 072. p. 3. Retrieved 26 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b Kimball, Duncan (2004). "Stage Shows 1964-75 – Jesus Christ Superstar". MilesAgo. Archived from the original on 16 June 2005. Retrieved 26 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at "RIP Michele Fawdon". IF Magazine. 23 May 2011. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ a b * Page 34: Munday, Rosemary (20 June 1979). "Cathy's Child". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 47, no. 3. p. 34. Retrieved 26 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- Page 35: Munday, Rosemary (20 June 1979). "Cathy's Child". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 47, no. 3. p. 35. Retrieved 26 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Winners & Nominees". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ "One Size Fits All to The Oz Game". memorabletv.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Australian Films – Feature Films" (PDF). ScreenSound. pp. 18, 74. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ "Winners & Nominees". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ Stratton, David (19 October 2012). "Unfinished Business". Australian Cinema. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ "Australian Telemovie". Victor Harbour Times. Vol. 74, no. 3, 464. South Australia. 7 November 1986. p. 11. Retrieved 26 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Winners & Nominees". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ Zuk, Tony. "Australian Television: Killing Time: Episode Guide". Australian Television Information Archive. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Golden Cage – Review – Photos". Ozmovies. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Zuk, Tony. "Australian Television: Telemovies and Miniseries: 1975". Australian Television Information Archive. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ "(...maybe this Time) – Review – Photos". Ozmovies. Archived from the original on 4 March 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Place at the Coast – Review – Photos". Ozmovies. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Williams, Greg; Coombs, Melanie; Burmeister, Saskia; Lyndon, Simon; Australian Film Commission; SBS-TV; Film Victoria; Melodrama Pictures (2006), The Glenmoore Job, retrieved 26 July 2022
- ^ "The Glenmoore Job (2005) – The Screen Guide". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Snake Gully". Classic Australian TV. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 25 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
External links
edit- "Michele Fawdon | Movies and Filmography". AllMovie. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- Michele Fawdon at IMDb