Friends and colleagues gathered together upstairs in a pub on Sydney’s Oxford Street to celebrate the 90th birthday of Terence “Terry” Clarke. It was a joyous gathering of actors, writers, directors and theatre icons including Nancye Hayes, Philip Quast, Maggie Blinco, John Bell, Anna Volska and flautist Jane Rutter.
Having requested that there be no speeches Terry was non the less delighted when the keynote speech was delivered from a table top, by the inimitable Tony Sheldon. Amid interjections from Terry and gales of laughter from the gathering, he recounted his early days as a student at Cranbrook school where Terry Clarke was the much-feared maths teacher. Terry’s creative side was later revealed as the school drama teacher where to his embarrassment, Tony was cast in several “skirts” roles in school productions.
Their creative association continued over many years with Tony crediting Terry as the person who gave him the courage to become a professional actor. In 1979 Tony played in the premiere production of Terry’s hit musical “The Venetian Twins” at the legendary Nimrod Theatre. He was later invited by Terry to be part of Hunter Valley Theatre Company, Australia's first professional regional theatre company, founded by Terry Clarke.
Terence Clarke and Tony Sheldon.
A theatre polymath, Terry Clarke was a school teacher, director, actor, writer, theatre artistic director, stage director, musical director and a revered composer. In his early days as a stage director with Nimrod, Terry had composed music for Ron Blair’s “Flash Jim Vaux “(later called Flash Jim) also music and songs for several other plays including two by Dorothy Hewitt.
Arguably the highlight of his musical career was in collaboration with his late friend and colleague playwright Nick Enright. Terry Clarke composed music and songs for the libretto by Nick for three iconic Australian musicals, the award winning “Variations”, “Summer Rain” and “The Venetian Twins”. These highly successful productions marked the establishment of the new wave of Australian music theatre.
Following a speech in which Jane Rutter recounted being a nervous twelve year old page turner for Terry’s piano performances, she accompanied the singing of Happy Birthday on a tin whistle.
Ever the showman, Terry was determined to respond. The crowd held its collective breath, as he clambered precariously onto a table. Supported by Garry Scale and Andrew McFarlane, both clinging to the dear man to prevent a disastrous fall, he fought back emotion to thank his many friends for being with him over a long career. He also thanked Garry Scale and Tony Llewellyn Jones for organising the birthday celebration. The dismount from the table top produced another breath holding moment until he once again had two feet safely on the floor.
Terence Clarke with Garry Scale and Andrew McFarlane.
Terry Clarke’s remarkable contribution to Australian Theatre was rewarded in 2023 when he was the recipient of the Actors Benevolent Fund Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sydney Theatre Awards. On that night he played accompaniment for original cast members of “Summer Rain” as they sang the hit from the show “Once In A Blue Moon”. He was genuinely astounded when he was announced as the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award but also delighted that his contribution to Australian theatre was recognised by his peers.
Apart from his musical success, Terry continued to direct and teach. He was Associate Director of Perth's National Theatre based at The Playhouse where he also acted, composed and played piano: Founding Artistic Director of the Hunter Valley Theatre Company: Artistic Director of the Australian National Playwrights Conference and Head of Directing at NIDA where he continued to teach for many years. Over that time he inspired and encouraged many young actors and directors to have successful careers in the performing arts. Currently he is part of the selection committee for the Seaborn, Broughton & Walton Foundation Playwriting Award.
The party continued into the early evening as guests enjoyed generous plates of pub food and glasses of bubbles supported by Peter and Carolyn Lowry from the Seaborn, Broughton & Walton Foundation. The only regret anyone had was that the guests could not have a “sing-a-long” as the hotel is under a ban on live music. A great disappointment given the many wonderful music theatre voices in the room and a marvellous pianist in Terry to play with them.
Let’s hope that for Terry Clarke’s 91st birthday there can be another gathering but this time around a piano where everyone can sing and Terry can be at the keyboard.
Ron Blair, Jane Rutter, Jennifer Hagen and Philip Quast.