StageWRite

Paul Trueack

Born in Southampton, England, Paul had an early introduction to stage and theatre. His family would sometimes holiday at the Butlins Family Holiday Camps and Paul would not only be a frequent entrant in the talent quests and 'dress-up' competitions, he would also be a frequent winner.

Paul was eight years old when he had the opportunity to audition for his school play. Paul thought he had a slim chance of being selected for a minor role, only to find himself playing the leading man, Sir Joseph Porter, in Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore, and was bitten by the bug.

After arriving in Australia, Paul became a qualified electrician, and completed his training at O'Halloran Hill TAFE College, where he was assigned occasional 'caretaking duties' at weekends. It was during this time Paul was asked to look after a small community theatre group based at the college, and was soon offered a role in their production that year as a Polish plumber, and once again his acting wound became inflamed.

                                Tempation Sordid, Virtue Rewarded (Mid '80s)

After playing many character roles at O'Halloran Hill, Paul was invited to expand his repertoire and experience working with other theatre companies. Over the years Paul has performed in stage productions for Galleon Theatre Company, Axis Theatre, Daw Park Players, Pat Lee's Theatre, Burnside Players, Noarlunga Theatre Company, and Upstage Theatre, where he played the part of a trooper in their 2004 Adelaide Fringe production Carry On Kelly, A Comedy Musical of the Life and Times of Ned Kelly.

                                            2004 Adelaide Fringe Poster

Paul is a very well known and much respected performer, both musically and as an actor. In addition to being the inspiration behind the musical BUDS, in which he also performed during the 1992 Adelaide Fringe Festival, Paul has been seen in many local plays and performances, in a variety of roles, and is a valued member of numerous theatre companies.

Paul's versatility on stage is echoed in his backstage knowledge, both technical and theatrical, working on sound, lighting, staging and prop manufacturing, along with directing a few productions along the way. 

In 1998 Paul began acting in locally produced feature films too, his most recent being Dracula: Angel of Darkness which is currently in post-production. Other film roles include Cardinal Richelieu & The Innkeeper in the 2006 Production The Three Musketeers, and as The Undertaker in the movie, The Undertaker.

                         Paul in the roles of Cardinal Richelieu & The Inkeeper in The Three Musketeers

                                              Performed during The French Festival in 2006

                  Other characters Paul has played on stage over the years.

                     Salty the Sultan in Aladdin                                             The Doctor in Forgetful

                                                      The Widow Twanky in Aladdin 1989

Paul has most recently appeared in the OPUS Performing Arts Community's production of Sweet Charity, where he played numerous roles, and inTony Brook's production of Mawson, in which Paul played two character roles.

                                           The Hippie in Sweet Charity 2008

    Look out for Paul's next performance with OPUS Performing Arts Community