User:DuetFor2/Richard Kates

RICHARD KATES

RICHARD KATES’ professional career has taken him through almost every avenue of the profession. After training at The Arts Educational Drama School he joined The Oldham Colliseum Thatre, where although employed as an acting ASM was soon one of the company's leading actors, playing a wide variety of leading roles.

On leaving Oldham he was cast by Jeremy Swan for the leading role of David in the BBCs rock opera ORION by Ken Howard, Alan Blaikley with a book by Melvyn Bragg.

This was followed playing Sloan in IT MUST HAVE BEEN TWO OTHER FELLOWS, again for the BBC.

He played Jesus in national tours of both GODSPELL (for Cameron Mackintosh) and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (For The Sheffield Crucible and Robert Stigwood) He was in fact the first actor in the country to play both roles.

He played Frank N. Furter for the first time at The Harrogate theatre in 1984 and went on to play the part again in two more National tours for the Theatre Royal Hanley in 1984 and 1985. He last played the role in 2004 at The Civic Theatre, Chelmsford.

Other major musical roles have included Joseph in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, John Emery in TALLULAH WHO? (opposite Suzi Quatro), Cliff in CABARET, Charlie Brown in YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, Hero in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, (opposite Frankie Howerd), Phileas Fogg in AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS, Frank N. Furter in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, and D’arcy in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

Film roles roles have included Sackville in the Richard Burton film ABSOLUTION and Simon Spelling in the short film FLUFF.

Joey in IN PRAISE OF LOVE, (opposite Richard Todd), Richard in THE LOVER, Rob in ROBIN REDBREAST Donal Davoren in THE SHADOW OF THE GUNMAN.

In 1984 he wrote his first show WICKED LIPS, 'a sharp satirical showbiz revue' produced by Paul Elliot, which was to open at the Donmar Warehouse. Unfortunately because of threatened legal action the show never opened. However it did play one 'secret' performance on the scheduled opening night to a specially invited audience, who gave the show a five minute standing ovation.

It was to be another four years before WICKED LIPS managed to sort out the legal problems and opened at the Donmar in 1988 to rave reviews and public acclaim. Jack Tinker (the theatre critic for The Daily Mail wrote, "I offer my thanks for one of the slickest pieces of impertinence it has been my pleasure to enjoy." It was an immense achievement for Richard, as not only did he write it and produce it, but also directed and appeared in it.

This was swiftly followed by writing and directing a one woman show for Su Pollard called A SONG, A FROCK AND A TINKLE, which also played the Donmar Warehouse Theatre, before embarking on a "sell out" national tour. He also wrote the original songs for a musical version of THE GOOD SEX GUIDE starring Su Pollard which toured New Zealand.

Richard’s writing for television has included COPY CATS (for which he also wrote the title song), THE LAURENCE OLIVIER AWARDS (where Diane Langton opened the ceremony win front of Princess Diana, with his song TO WIN AN AWARD), THE RUSS ABOTT SHOW, THE LAUGHTER SHOW and  DAVRO ON THE BOX. He was programme associate for the ITV quiz show TAKE THE PLUNGE which was hosted by Su Pollard.

At the prestigious South Pacific Song Contest in Australia in 1987 he won three major awards for his song STREISAND GOT THERE FIRST!(Best novelty song, best lyric and the BASCA 'special' award for Best European Entry.)

In 1998 he was the first and only composer and lyricist to have two new musicals in the final of prestigious VIVIAN ELLIS AWARD. Sheridan Morley hailed him as 'the find of the contest' and suggested that 'someone should have the courage and foresight to get his work staged immediately.'

He has recorded two highly acclaimed CDs of his own words and music AMONG FRIENDS & DARE TO BE GREAT! AMONG FRIENDS features twelve stars from the West End stage performing his songs, whilst on the latter he performs all the songs himself.

He is currently working on his third CD, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT YOU which once again will feature stars from the entertainment industry.

There are plans to stage his musical TALLULAH DARLING

Richard lives in London and divides his time between acting and writing. He says " I am lucky to be in a position where I don’t have to accept everything I’m offered. But then again, it is still nice to be offered."