Gavin Richards
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Gavin Richards (born September 1946 in London[1]) is a British actor, writer and director. From 1987 to 1989 he played Captain Alberto Bertorelli in the sitcom 'Allo 'Allo!. He appeared in Coronation Street and as Terry Raymond in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, and had a minor recurring role in series four and five of the BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi! as general manager Harold Fox, where he was known as the Smiling Viper. Currently works for Leisure Link. His father is music critic Denby Richards, editor of Musical Opinion.
Gavin has worked as an actor, director and writer in theatre, television and film for over 40 years. He is most familiar for his portrayal of Terry Raymond in the BBC TV Series Eastenders, appearing in over 300 episodes. He is also remembered as Captain Alberto Bertorelli in the TV comedy hit 'Allo 'Allo in which he appears in over 30 episodes. His credits include work as a leading television actor in Coronation Street, Hi-de-Hi, The Bill, Lovejoy, Minder, Inspector Morse, A Touch of Frost, Between The Lines and Pie In The Sky. He co-starred with Robert Powell in Hannay, with Leigh Lawson in Kinsey, Michael Kitchen in The Reporters and with Rowan Atkinson in Full Throttle. He also starred in the series Annie's Bar, Driving Ambition, Hardwick House, Mike & Angelo and many other programmes. He has appeared in films, amongst others, with Robin Williams in Being Human and with Oliver Reed and Glenda Jackson in Michael Apted's Triple Echo, also in the New Zealand film Savage Play.
As a director and actor in the theatre, he is famous for bringing the work of Dario Fo to the English language in his own West End hit production of Accidental Death Of An Anarchist for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award. He also directed and starred in the production for Channel 4 TV in the UK. Gavin played Face in Gryff Rhys Jones’s renowned production of The Alchemist at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith and toured in the lead role in Jack Shepard’s Comic Cuts for Derby and Salisbury Playhouse. He has worked as a guest artist on the BBC/SPP TV Co-production of Kidnapped, and the TVNZ Production of The Lost Children, both shot entirely in New Zealand. Gavin has performed at the London Palladium Theatre in the stage production of 'Allo 'Allo, which also toured New Zealand and Australia.
Gavin’s career in Theatre began with 5 intense years working as a leading actor in Repertory in Leicester, Manchester, Bolton, Liverpool and Bristol. He directed Shane Connaughton's first play 'Jenny' at the Roundhouse in 1969. In the 1970’s he performed throughout Europe and Scandinavia with the famous Ken Campbell’s Roadshow. Then he became a founder member of the 7:84 Theatre Company and Artistic Director of the Belt & Braces Theatre Company touring Britain for over twelve years. The company produced Political Rock Musicals admired by playwrights, actors, trade unionists and the general public at large. It also produced Brecht's Mother Courage. As well as his own work, his collaboration with writers John Arden, Margaretta D'Arcy, Adrian Mitchell, Trevor Griffiths and John McGrath was seen regularly at the Edinburgh Festival and transferred to London on several occasions.
In the early nineties, together with his New Zealand born wife, Tamara Henry, Gavin presented Richard Sparks's comedy The Crimson Lizard in New Zealand with himself, Annie Whittle and Lloyd Scott and touring it to the Court Theatre, Christchurch and the Fortune Theatre, Dunedin. This production was then remounted in the UK at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds.
Gavin and Tamara have formed a professional theatre company, Theatre South, which toured a New Zealand version of The Drawer Boy by Michael Healey, to great acclaim, completing seasons at the Fortune Theatre in Dunedin, The Court Theatre in Christchurch, Centrepoint Theatre in Palmerston North and at Downstage in Wellington. The production also played in Blenheim, Invercargill, Whangarei, Tauranga and Hamilton.
Theatre South is the only professional theatre company in Marlborough, where Gavin now lives. Gavin & Tamara are involved in the local community –producing a school’s workshop production of their own, The Hole In The Sky. They produced the hugely popular Tittle Tattle 1 & 2 by 'Emmerdale' TV script writer Lesley Clare O’Neill in December 2005 and October ‘06. In the same year, Gavin appeared as Patrick in Tony McCaffrey’s (A Different Light Company) production of The Night Season by Rebecca Lenkiewicz at the University Theatre, Christchurch and returning to Christchurch, he appeared as Claudius in both Hamlet and Rosencranz & Guildenstern for the Court Theatre in April 2006. In 2007 he appeared as Creon in Tolis Papazoglou’s production of Antigone at Studio 77 in Wellington.
Recently Theatre South produced WAR CHILD:THE SHOW, written and directed by Gavin. A powerful production, dedicated to the international relief and development agency working for the rehabilitation of Child Soldiers. With a talented cast of local 12-18 year olds in Marlborough. The show had an awesome reception, standing ovations at each of the 8 performances. The show featured the work of an amazing professional crew including, Tolis Papazoglou (one of NZ's leading Set Designers), Peter Cahill (Sound Director. Founding member of MAINZ), Martyn Roberts (Lighting Design), Jamie Bull (Choreographer and creator of Impulse Dance Company), Sid Limbert (Music Mentor), Graham Potts (Set Builder), Di Lofthouse (Makeup, ex Yorkshire television), Annie Gleeson (Costume), Paul Sainsbury (Audio Visual Director). Musical Director was Hayden Taylor, a 17 year old college student (Marlborough Philharmonic Orchestra). The cast included an 11 piece rock band with Renee Maurice singing the title song. Special permission was granted by the Black Eyed Peas for the use of the song 'Where Is The Love'. Other songs ranged from Barret-Strong's 'War' to Sting's haunting 'Fragile' and a moving version of John Lennon's 'Imagine'. The show played against fantastic images including the work of international war photographer Tuen Voeten.
He was trained at Bristol Old Vic, Theatre School. Agents are: UK: Gordon & French. NZ: Gail Cowan Management. Gavin is now resident in New Zealand.
