Peter Batey (director)
Peter Batey (1933–14 June 2019) was an Australian actor, director and founder of the Bald Archy Prize. He was a founding member of the Melbourne Theatre Company and the South Australian Theatre Company.
Peter Batey | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1933 Benalla, Victoria |
| Died | June 14, 2019 (aged 85–86) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, director |
| Organization(s) | Melbourne Theatre Company, South Australian Theatre Company |
| Known for | Founding the Bald Archy Prize |
Early life and education
Batey was born in Benalla, Victoria in 1933 and moved to Melbourne when he was 16, where he studied drama.[1]
Career
Batey worked as a playwright, a director, a founding member of both the Melbourne Theatre Company and the South Australian Theatre Company[1] 1961 saw the debut of his first play The No Hopers;[2][3] he directed approximately 130 others.[1] He was the first director of the Victorian Arts Council[1] and helped Barry Humphries create the Dame Edna Everage character.[4]
Batey Launched the Bald Archy Prize in 1994[5] scheduled to occur during the Festival of Fun in the town of Coolac where he lived at that time.[1]
He was awarded the Order of Australia in 1999 for services to community and arts.[1]
Death
Batey died when on 14 June, 2019 while driving to his home in Cootamundra, his car struck a tree in Coolac. He may have had a heart attack.[1]
References
- "'Unthinkable': Founder of Australia's satirical art prize dies aged 85". ABC News. 2019-06-15. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- Arms and the Man (6 March 1963 – April 1963) [Event description], 1963, retrieved 29 May 2015
- The No-Hopers (10 April 1963 – 10 April 1963) [Event description], 1963, retrieved 29 May 2015
- "From the archives: A century of schooling". Benalla Ensign. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- "From Scomo to Albo, no one is safe from satirical art prize the Bald Archies". ABC News. 2023-02-10. Retrieved 2023-02-10.