Neil has been acting on and off for over six decades. There have been many highlights. In 2024 he played Sorin in Seagull followed by Shrewsbury in Mary Stuart, both for Chaika Theatre (ACT Hub). He acted The Old Man in Fool For Love in Sydney in 2019. In 2018 he played Antonio in Much Ado About Nothing for Shakespeare By The Lakes. He received a CAT Award nomination for Telegin in Uncle Vanya, appeared as Old Man and Seward in Macbeth, Ablett in Trelawny of the ‘Wells’, Wally in Australia Day and Emperor Joseph II in Amadeus in 2023, all of these for REP. Additionally, Neil has recorded about two dozen podcasts written or adapted by local identity Bart Meehan. Earlier stage highlights include Sergius and Bluntschli in Arms And The Man (different productions), John Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest, Hal Carter in Picnic, Nick in Bedroom Farce, and Howard Wilton in The Man. He is excited to be Chorus Leader 1 in Antigone under the skillful and perceptive direction of Cate Clelland, guiding a cast of highly skilled actors. We hope you enjoy the show. “I grew up on the land,” said Neil. “I went to a one teacher primary school in northern NSW. I milked cows, castrated young pigs, rode horses, mustered cattle, trapped wild dogs, shot goannas and felled trees with a crosscut saw. I left home when I was 16. I joined the Forestry Commission in Glen Innes in 1960, road surveying in the bush. I came to Canberra, got married and started teaching in government primary schools. Retired in 2015, and the acting bug had free rein. I’m currently growing lavender commercially on the family property. I’ve come full circle.”