Tim Minchin
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Tim Minchin (born 1975) is an Australian comedian, actor, composer, songwriter, pianist, musical director and a self proclaimed 'rock n roll megastar.'
Born in Western Australia, Australia he attended UWA (University of Western Australia).
Tim launched onto the world stage at the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe Festival by winning the Best Newcomer Perrier Comedy Award.
His eccentric appearance (wild unkempt hair and bare feet juxtaposed with a crisp and clean suit and tails, and a grand piano) adds to his comedic performances.
Notable songs include “Inflatable You”, “Rock N Roll Nerd” and the anthem “Canvas Bags”, the latter often used as a finale in which Tim will discard his jacket and lead the audience in an increasingly dramatic environmental pledge for people to reject plastic bags in favour of reusable canvas ones.
His 2005 and 2006 shows (Dark Side and So Rock, both named for songs within the shows) have been recorded to CD.
His most recent dramatic theatrical performance was as the title role in the 2006 Perth Theatre Company production of Amadeus (see review), Peter Shaffer's fictional play about the downfall of Mozart at the hands of the reigning court composer (and later Austrian and Imperial Kapellmeister), Salieri.
Tim’s stage acting roles also include the title role in the 2004 Perth Theatre Company / Hoopla production of Hamlet, and The Writer in the original PTC production of Reg Cribb’s The Return. He has also acted for The Australian Shakespeare Company (Twelfth Night), the Black Swan Theatre Company (Cosi, One Destiny) and in various other plays, short films and TVC’s. Roles from days in musical theatre include Don Quixote in The Man of La Mancha and understudying Judas twice (and playing Pontius Pilate) in Jesus Christ Superstar. He has played small roles on the ABC telemovie Loot, and on Comedy Inc.
Recently he has appeared on BBC Radio 4's programme Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better alongside Mark Watson and Tim Key, in which he is the "in-house musician". He also had his own show, Tim Minchin and Friends, on BBC Radio 2.
He currently resides in London with wife Sarah. They had a baby girl on November 24th, 2006 - Violet Whitfield Minchin.
[edit] Discography
- 2001 - Sit (with band Timmy the Dog)
- 2005 - Dark Side
- 2006 - So Rock
[edit] Awards
- Best Alternative Act at the 2007 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival
- Festival Director’s Award for "Dark Side" at the 2005 Melbourne International Comedy Festival
- Best Newcomer Perrier Comedy Award at the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe Festival
