Presenter off to Oz

Press, 26 September 1988, Page 19

Presenter off to Oz

A familiar face in children’s television is leaving New Zealand and heading for the glittering lights of Australia. Annie Roach — who fronts “After School” with Jason Gunn and Thingee and “Friday Night” with Alisdair Kincaid and Peter Llewellyn — has decided to move to Melbourne where she hopes to find work in television and theatre. “I went to Melbourne last year and so many people are just buzzing with theatre. It’s a really creative city with lots of opportunities in television and theatre. So this will be my chance to check it out and try new things,” Roach says. Annie Roach began her career with TVNZ in 1986 as a part-time guest on “After School." She had previously been a member of the Terrafirma Street Theatre group, and also appeared frequently with Christchurch’s Riccarton Players. In June of this year she joined the “Friday Night” team while continuing to appear on “After School.” “The opportunity to work on two different programmes was one I couldn’t pass up. Although it was demanding I woundn’t have missed it for anything. ’Friday Night’ was an insight into what makes up a comedy programme and comedy is an area I always wanted to try my hand at. I’m hoping I’ll have the chance to continue this in Australia,” Roach says.