No worries for actor

Press, 3 July 1985, Page 19

No worries for actor

Nothing worries Peter Nicoll or so it seems talking to the young Auckland actor. The prospect of returning to Auckland next month with no job, after four months of work at the Court Theatre, does not worry him. “It’s an occupational hazard. If you let it worry you,

that would be the end of you in this business.” Peter Nicoll has not had too many weeks without employment since becoming an actor in 1977. He graduated from drama school and went to the Fortune Theatre in Dunedin, before getting a year’s contract with the Mercury Theatre in his hometown of Auckland.

A six month stint as a lead character in the children’s television series, “The Flying Kiwi,” followed. "That was quite a big thing for me. It was six months well-paid work for a start, and I also got introduced to television. I had done some commercials and bits and pieces before but that was the first regular work," he said. After 18 months off to travel Peter Nicoll became as freelance actor working in Auckland and has been working as a freelance actor ever since. He has acted in two feature films. Just before coming to the Court for “King Lear” earlier this year the 28-year-old actor was performing in schools for the Mercury and did “Pirates of Penzance” also at the Mercury. He also fitted in three more months of travel in India and the Philippines. In the Court’s latest production, “Foreskin’s Lam'ent” which opens on Tuesday of next week, Peter Nicoll will play the title role. He is looking forward to the part of the rugby playing hero. He played rugby himself until his dance tutor at drama school insisted he give it up. “He got fed up with me turning up to class with a broken ankle." Rugby aside, Peter Nicoll says many of Foreskin’s beliefs are his own.

“Thinking like him has been no problem. Just getting the story across is the difficult part." The actor is determined that he is returning to Auckland. “I have been asked to stay in Christchurch but, although it’s been neat, I want to go back to Auckland.” He would like to return in the future. Peter Nicoll says he is interested in directing and playwriting. He wrote, choreographed, directed and acted in a musical at the Mercury last year. “It wasn’t successful in money terms but it was great to be able to do it. I have directed before with the Auckland Youth Centre. I love directing.” However, he believes that for the time being he must concentrate on one only — acting. “Dividing your time can mean that directing commitment can prohibit what acting you can do and vice versa/’ The actor has performed in England with the New Zealand Heartache and Sorrow Company. “I enjoyed it but what was the point of going half way around the world to perform with a New Zealand company. I had tried to get work with other companies, but they were not interested. So I came back here.” “Foreskin’s Lament” opens on July 9 until August 3.