LUIGI LUCENTE as DAKIN

Luigi has just completed the Sydney season of the Donmar/Amabassador Theatre Group Production of GUYS AND DOLLS, playing Society Max & Joey Biltmore and understudying Benny Southstreet.  

Prior to this Luigi spent time in Los Angeles filming the role of Carlo Basilone in the Hanks/Spielberg HBO mini-series THE PACIFIC.   

A multi-faceted and versatile artist, Luigi has been engaged professionally in Theatre, Music Theatre, Dance, Film, Television, Cabaret and Opera.   

Theatre credits include the role of Darren in 4 SECONDS, Jon Larson in TICK, TICK…BOOM!, Bobby Strong in URINETOWN, Jerry Lee Lewis in THE KING OF SUN, Veronica in THE WILD BLUE and a tour of the US playing Joseph in THE SILVER DONKEY. He also appeared on the show’s original cast album. 

On screen he has appeared in NEIGHBOURS, WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THAT GUY?, BLUE HEELERS and HOLLY’S HEROES. 

Luigi is thrilled to be taking on the role of ‘Dakin’ in this production, a chance to relish the adolescent angst and schoolyard politics he so distantly remembers!

JAMES COOK
as SCRIPPS

Originally from Brisbane, James began his theatre career with the Brisbane Arts Theatre, performing a myriad of roles in children's theatre. In 2001 he performed the role of Jimmy in the Queensland premiere of Harvey Fierstein's SAFE SEX with Newfarm Nash Theatre.

Since moving to Melbourne, James has built a reputation as an up and coming character actor, mostly in musical theatre, appearing in THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL,HOT MIKADO, HOW TO SUCEED IN BUSINESS (Guild Nomination), I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, PUTTING IT TOGETHER, URINETOWN and most recently, I LOVE YOU BECAUSE.

James has also worked as a director, staging a well received production of HOT MIKADO in 2005, and working as Associate Director on Melbourne Musicals' successful run of YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN in 2008.

He is delighted to be a part of THE HISTORY BOYS.

CHRIS GAFFNEY as HECTOR

Over the last 34 years Chris has performed in over 140 plays in venues ranging from the New Theatre, the Universal Theatre and La Mama in Carlton, to the Princess Theatre and the Victorian Arts Centre; to the Fairfield Amphitheatre and numerous venues in-between, as well as appearing in shows in London and at the Edinburgh Festival. 

Most recently he played the man who hung Ned Kelly in the one man show ELIJAH at Cabaret Voltaire (March 2009), and played George Dawson in Doorslam Theatre’s production of Louis Nowra’s INSIDE THE ISLAND at Theatreworks in St Kilda (April 2009).  

His favourite stage role was playing Oscar Wilde in SAINT OSCAR at the New Theatre in 1992. 

Chris has appeared dozens and dozens of television series including NEIGHBOURS, BLUE HEELERS, PRISONER, SOMETHING IN THE AIR, THE SULLIVANS, STINGERS and the mini-series ANZACS opposite Paul Hogan. 

He played The Scab in Richard Lowenstein’s 1983 film STRIKEBOUND, was directed in Robyn Nevin in her 1986 film THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, and he’s written and performed in a number of short films, including his own 2008 mockumentary HOW TO GET A JOB. 

Since 1990 Chris has been presenting GREAT VOICES on Radio 3CR, his weekly opera and song music program, which he continues to enjoy in 2009.

ELLIOT ROBERTS as POSNER

Elliot completed three terms at The Kennedy School of Drama in 1998, and has trained with the NIDA Open Program in both 2006 and 2008. 

He completed Year 12 at St Kevin’s College at the end of last year. 

At St Kevin’s he played Starkey in PETER PAN, Hamlet in ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, O’Casey in THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI, Roderigo in OTHELLO and also appeared in THE PYJAMA GAME. 

He worked behind the scenes on a number of shows at St. Kevin’s, including MACBETH (Lighting Board Operator/Stage Manager), ROMEO AND JULIET (Assistant Director & Stage Manager) and ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD (Dramaturg & Set Design). 

Elliot has appeared in a VCA Student Film and has gained valuable experience working as an extra on BLUE HEELERS, NEIGHBOURS, SkitHOUSE and Hamish & Andy’s REAL STORIES.

Elliot is thrilled to be involved in THE HISTORY BOYS.

FABIO MOTTA as AKTHAR

On stage Fabio has appeared in BRIAN DEAD (2008) at St Martins Theatre; a number of productions for the Italian Drama Company including LA LOCANDIERA (2003) and L’ARIA DEL CONTINENTE (2002); and played Arlecchino in Carlo Goldoni’s famous 18th-century comedy THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS (2006) for the Scena Theatre Company in Venice. 

For the Melbourne Comedy Festival, Fabio appeared in the ‘Class Clowns’ Grand Final Shows MANIKINS (2005) and FRATERNITY (2004). 

On television he played Renato in the SBS series CARLA CAMETTI P.D. (2009) and guest starred as Ryan in CANAL ROAD (2008) on the Nine Network. 

On the big screen, Fabio appeared in the Tropfest film THE DELIVERY (2007) and played Oscar opposite Delta Goodrem in the motion picture HATING ALISON ASHLEY(2005). 

Fabio has studied at the New York Film Academy, Tony Barr’s Film Actors Workshop in Los Angeles, Signature Studios in Los Angeles, New York’s Atlantic Theatre Conservatory, and the Herbert Berghof (HB) Studio in New York.  

He undertook a Commedia dell’Arte Intensive at the International School of Masks in Venice, and has also taken classes at St Martin’s Ensemble Theatre and NIDA’s Young Actors Studio in Australia.  

GERARD LANE as TIMMS

Gerard is a graduate of the VCA school of Drama 2007 having also studied a BPA at Monash Uni. His theatre credits include AFTER MISS JULIE (Highway1) Bottom in A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM (Preferred Plays),McIlwane in OBSERVE THE SONS OF ULSTER MARCHING TOWARDS THE SOMME, France/Oswald in KING LEAR (VCA-Brian Lipson) Argan in IMAGINARY INVALID, King in THE PERJURED CITY and Bruce in  THE BLIND GIANT IS DANCING (VCA) his music theatre credits include FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: GREATEST HITS VOL. 1 (Shoosh-midsumma festival) Father in CHILDREN OF EDEN (Community One) Paul in Company Greg in A CHORUS LINE (PLOS) and the world premiere seasons of PARIS by Jon English THE WHITE ROSE and EUROBEAT- THE EUROVISION MUSICAL (NoMates - Melbourne comedy festival/Singapore tour). His TV credits include CITY HOMICIDE and STINGERS.

Gerard has toured Australia and Hong Kong in various children entertainment for Tony Bones Entertainment. Gerard is a regular trivia host and mc for Quiz Meisters Trivia and has done voice overs for radio, the Melbourne museum, and the animated short film LUCILLE.

KEVIN DAVID NEWMAN as CROWTHER

This is Kevin’s fourth show for the Boroondara Theatre Company, having previously appeared in the Camberwell Youth Theatre/Boroondara productions of THE BRIDGE (2008) and RENT (2008) and directing NO RULES (2008).

For the Hartwell Players recent production of TWELFTH NIGHT he played Orsino, and he featured in a number of plays for the Australian Centre Of Performing Arts (ACOPA) 2008 “Short Shorts” program including MANDRAGORA, UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCES and directed shows including JUST DOUGLAS. 

In 2008 he shot the VCA student short film GALACTIC SEX WARS directed by Robbie McEwan playing Andy the Star Sailor, the film has gone on to win Selector's choice in Celluloid Casserole at the 2009 Melbourne Queer Film Festival and will be premiering at the San Fransisco Queer Film Festival in 2009.  

As part of the Melbourne University Drama Festival, Kevin performed in the musical WONDERFUL DAY for Fishnet Productions, and at university he also appeared in the plays MOBILITY (2007) and as Hamlet in HAMLETMACHINE (2006). 

While he was still at school he played Dandy Dan in BUGSY MALONE, and for the Plenty Ranges Theatre Company he played Freidrich Von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC. 

After completing a degree in drama at Deakin University (2005 - 2007), Kevin enrolled in Verve Studio’s Professional Acting Course in 2009. 

PETER MAVER as the HEADMASTER

Peter has been a part of the Melbourne theatre scene for many years, appearing in a range of productions for many theatre companies including Nova, Whitehorse, Heidelberg, The Catchment Players, Frontline, Peridot, Mordialloc and the Pumpkin Theatre Company. 

Highlights have included his award-winning performances in COSI (Malvern Theatre Company - Best Actor, 2006); TORCH SONG TRILOGY (Victorian Drama League - Best Actor, 1998); JOURNEY’S END (Malvern Theatre Company - Best Supporting Actor, 1995) and SAME TIME NEXT YEAR (Malvern Theatre Company - Best Actor, 1993). 

He’s played classic roles like Henry Higgins in MY FAIR LADY, Vandergelder in HELLO DOLLY, Thomas More in A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS, Amos in CHICAGO, Danny in THE CLUB, Bert in 42nd STREET, and CS Lewis in SHADOWLANDS. 

On television Peter featured in roles opposite Geoffrey Rush in MERCURY (ABC-TV 1996) and opposite Jeremy Kewley in JANUS (ABC-TV 1994), and guest starred in series and telemovies including HALIFAX, STATE CORONER, NEIGHBOURS, GOOD GUYS BAD GUYS, STINGERS and BLUE HEELERS where he played opposite Hugh Jackman. 

He has also appeared in a range of training films and promotional videos for clients including Colonial Mutual, Shell, Chubb, Nissan and Telstra.

RIKI LINDSEY as LOCKWOOD

Riki has only just arrived in Australia from his native New Zealand. On stage, Riki most recently appeared in STARRY NIGHTS (2009) in Christchurch; performed in THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISSOCIA (2008); and played Jack in the South lsland tour of YAKKETY YAK (2006). 

In Christchurch, just before he left New Zealand, he played Justin, a choreographer, in the feature film THE HOLY ROLLER (2009) written by and starring Australian actor Angus Benfield and directed by Patrick Gillies. 

Over the last few years he has worked all over New Zealand in various facets of the entertainment industry. In 2007 he choreographed the “Miss North Canterbury” pageant; hosted the 2008 Sweet Adeline’s Charity Concert; performed Street Theatre in Nelson; worked as a singer and dancer at various corporate functions for Enthuse Entertainment. 

And in 2008 he toured both North and South Islands as part of the comedy strip show BEEF CAKE BOYS for Grouse Entertainment.  

Riki gained a Bachelor of Performing Arts from New Zealand’s National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts. While he was at NASDA he played Will Parry in HIS DARK MATERIALS (2007) and Darryl Van Horne in THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK (2008). 

He continues to take dance classes in Ballet, Tap and Jazz, and recently launched his own fashion label – RbL.

STUART DAULMAN as RUDGE

Stuart most recently appeared at the Cromwell Road Theatre in M&M Productions March 2009 presentation of ROMEO AND JULIET playing the role of Benvolio. 

At the 2007 Melbourne International Comedy Festival he produced and starred in THE 2NITE SHOW LIVE!, and went on to produce and star in THE OUTRAGEOUS ORCHESTRA at the 2008 Comedy Festival, and played Barry in BARRY AND HIS MANTASTIC MANSHIP at the 2009 Comedy Festival, which he also produced. 

For the Burwood Student Theatre Company (BuSTCo), Stuart played Tony in DAGS (2005), Revered Shaw Moore in FOOTLOOSE (2006), the Baker in INTO THE WOODS (2007) and a range of characters in BuSTCo-funded sketch comedy shows KA-POW (2005) at the Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda, and SPIN OFF (2006) at the Comic’s Lounge in North Melbourne. He also portrayed Dean Martin BuSTCo‘s 2004 variety show PIN UP, which won the Lyrebird Award for Best Variety Show of the year. 

In South Africa, Stuart presented the television shows YO-TV (1996-1997) and X-ATTITUDE (1995-1997), both for the South African Broadcasting Corporation. 

On film, Stuart has played lead roles in shorts including PARK LIFE (2005), FROM NOW ON IN (2006), THE DEAD OF NIGHT (2008), IDIOCY (2008) and played the role of Stu in FILMS’COOL (2005), shot in San Diego, California. 

He will next be seen as a soldier in the HBO/Dreamworks mini-series THE PACIFIC which is due to screen on the Seven Network at the start of 2010. 

TRISTAN LUTZE as IRWIN

For PMD Productions, Tristan recently appeared in COPENHAGEN (2009) at Chapel Off Chapel and played Hamlet in ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD (2008). 

He performed in I SING (2006, which he also produced), RENT (2006) for Stella Productions, and THE GLASS MENAGERIE (2005) for the Williamstown Little Theatre, for which he won the Cordell Award for Best Male In A Leading Role. 

For his performance as Finch in Fab Nob’s HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING (2002) he won the Lyrebird Award for Best Male In A Leading Role. 

At the Altona City Theatre he played Pseudolus in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (2003), Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (2001), Combeferre in LES MISERABLES (2001) and appeared in their production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (1996).

For the last few years he has been hosting various Improv and Comedy nights in a number of bars and venues around Melbourne, including IMPROV SMACKDOWN (2005-2007 at the provincial Hotel in Fitzroy . 

For the Melbourne Comedy Festival, Tristan appeared in FIVE GUYS AND A POOL CUE (2003) and THE MEMBERS STRIKE BACK (2004), and from 1997 to 2006 he performed regularly at the TITANIC THEATRE RESTAURANT in Williamstown. 

As a writer, his plays have had successful seasons both around Australia and overseas, and for five years Tristan was the Editor of the popular website theatrepeople.com.au.

BERYLE FREES as MRS. LINTOTT

Beryle has featured in a number of music theatre productions over the last few years, working with some of Melbourne’s best known local theatre companies. 

Highlights include NINE (2000) for Whitehorse; INTO THE WOODS (2001) and CHICAGO (2002) for the Dandenong Theatre Company; SWEENEY TODD (2003) for CLK Musical Theatre; Arlene in the Fab Nobody’s BABY (2005); Lady Beaconsfield in Cloc’s JEKYLL & HYDE (2005); and both LUCKY STIFF (2003) and LES MISERABLES (2004) for the Whitehorse Musical Theatre. 

She was nominated by the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria for her performance as Marion Woolnough in CLOC’s 2008 production of THE BOY FROM OZ, and she won the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria’s 2006 Best Supporting Performer award for playing Fraulein Schneider in the PLOS production of CABARET.   

She most recently starred opposite Don Bridges and a number of bright young up-and-coming performers in IS THERE LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? (2008) for Stella Productions at Chapel Off Chapel.   

Beryle trained in Classical Ballet for 10 years and is certified Grade 5 Voice with AMEB - the Australian Music Examinations Board.