Susan Wilson (director)

Susan Accushla Wilson ONZM is a New Zealand director and actor. Wilson was one of the founders of Wellington's Circa Theatre and the Circa Council in 1976 and has had a long career at the theatre as a stage actor and director.[1][2][3]

Susan Wilson
Wilson in 2021
NationalityNew Zealand
Occupation(s)Actor and director
Known forrole of Beryl in Gliding On series

Acting

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Wilson played the role of Beryl in the popular television programme Gliding On over 5 series between 1981 and 1985.[4] Her work in television also includes roles in Mortimer's Patch, and Close to Home.[1] She also appeared as Aunt Daisy in an episode of Pioneer Women.[5]

Director

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Wilson's productions include many winners of Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards including Angels in America, Joyful and Triumphant, Arcadia, and Death of a Salesman.[6]

She has been a script advisor for Playmarket and Television New Zealand script editor.[3]

As of 2021, Wilson continues as a Director at Circa Theatre.[7] Wilson has been directing pantomimes at Circa Theatre over years, a recent was Cinderella (2020) written by Simon Leary & Gavin Rutherford.[8]

Honours and awards

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In 1982, Wilson won Best Actress in the Feltex Television Awards, for Mortimer's Patch and Gliding On.[1]

In 1992, Wilson won the Best Director award at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards for her direction of Robert Lord's Joyful and Triumphant.[9] She won the same award again in 1994 for her production of Angels in America.[9]

In 2006, Wilson won Director of the Year in the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards for Death of a Salesman.[10]

In the 2001 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Wilson was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to theatre.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Susan Wilson". NZ On Screen. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Wellington's Circa Theatre celebrates the "Big Four-O"". Stuff. 19 May 2016. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Wilson, Susan, active 1970-2017". tiaki.natlib.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Gliding On". NZ On Screen. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Pioneer Women". NZ On Screen. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Susan Wilson ONZM". Circa Theatre. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  7. ^ Almeida, Ines (1 August 2021). "Sir Roger Hall play 'Winding Up' is a poignant lesson in undying love". Stuff. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Review: Circa panto Cinderella a rollicking night out for all the family". Stuff. 14 November 2020. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  9. ^ a b Warrington, Lisa. "Theatre Aotearoa database". University of Otago. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Chapman Tripp Theatre Award Winners Announced". www.theatreview.org.nz. 21 December 2006. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  11. ^ "The Queen's Birthday Honours List 2001". Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2021.

Further reading

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  • Tales from the rabbit warren. Evening post (Wellington, N.Z.), 24 Aug 1989; p. 27
  • From famous spinster to famous aunt. New Zealand woman's weekly, 23 Jan 1989; p. 32-33
  • Susan Wilson. Dominion post (Wellington, N.Z.), 10 Aug 2013; sup.p.15
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