"Stanislavsky said, ‘Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art.’ Play. Imagine. Share. Celebrate."
PAUL BARRETT
Since his 1980 debut at Circa Theatre, Paul Barrett has worked as an actor, musical director, vocal coach and voice artist. He was an actor at Circa and Downstage theatres from 1980 – 1981 and was resident actor and musical director at Palmerston North's Centrepoint Theatre from 1983 to 1984.
Paul has appeared in more than 140 theatrical productions in New Zealand, Australia and Britain and has been the musical director for approximately 40 more. In 2011, Paul played himself in his solo show Tic Tic at the Auckland International Comedy Festival, revealing the challenges of living with Tourette syndrome. Other stage credits include Cinderella the Pantomime, Cabaret (awarded Best of Theatre 2010), Lady Windermere's Fan, Caesar and Cleopatra, Market Forces, The Merry Widow, The Wind in the Willows, She Loves Me and The Learner's Stand.
Paul, who graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with an honours degree in musical composition and analysis, has had numerous television appearances; his film credits include We're Here to Help, Ike: Thunder in June, Spooked, Atomic Twister, and Her Majesty. He has narrated dozens of talking books dozens of for The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and has voiced over 1500 television and radio commercials as well as corporate videos and documentaries. And yes, he was in a Speight’s “Good on Ya Mate”, television ad.
Paul returned to Palmerston North and Centrepoint Theatre in 2012 to perform in the world premiere of Roger Hall's play, You Can Always Hand Them Back.
"Centrepoint Theatre has a special place in my heart, as it was the first theatre in which, as a young performer, I was engaged as a member of an acting company, where for an entire year I had the opportunity to develop as both an actor and a musical director. It has been such a pleasure to work in Palmerston North again this year, after 28 years. Times are tough for theatres these days, even in the largest cities, so I have been pleased to see how proud and loyal the Palmerston North audiences are of their own theatre. I have also enjoyed daily walks in the lovely botanical gardens and around the rivers. I look forward to my next engagement."
