User:Richard Kates

RICHARD KATES’ professional career has taken him through almost every avenue of the profession Starting as an actor at Oldham rep, he played a wide variety of parts before being cast in a leading role in the BBCs rock opera ORION. In the years that followed, Richard found himself dividing his time between musicals and straight theatre. He was the first person in England to play Jesus in both GODSPELL and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and 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. Non musical roles have included Sackville in the Richard Burton film ABSOLUTION, 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, and Orlando in AS YOU LIKE IT.

As a writer, his first show WICKED LIPS opened at the Donmar in 1988 to rave reviews and public acclaim. Jack Tinker 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.

He swiftly followed this by writing and directing a one woman show for Su Pollard called A SONG, A FROCK AND A TINKLE, which also played the Donmar, before embarking on a “sell out” national tour. He also wrote the original songs for a musical version of THE GOOD SEX GUIDE 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 with his song TO WIN AN AWARD), THE RUSS ABOTT SHOW, THE LAUGHTER SHOW, TAKE THE PLUNGE and DAVRO ON THE BOX. At the prestigious South Pacific Song Contest in Australia he won three major awards for his song STREISAND GOT THERE FIRST!

In 1998 he was the first and only composer and lyricist to have had two new musicals in the final of the 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! The first features twelve stars from the West End stage performing his songs, whilst on the latter he performs all the songs himself.

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.”

2012 will see the release of his third CD THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT YOU - More words and music of Richard Kates. Singing his songs are LYNDA BARON, LUCY BENJAMIN, GRAHAM BICKLEY, CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS, MARY CAREWE, FENELLA FIELDING, ALISON JIEAR, BONNIE LANGFORD, JESSICA MARTIN, ROBERT MEADMORE, CLAIRE MOORE, HILARY O'NEILL, SU POLLARD, CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD, CLAIRE SWEENEY and Richard himself.