Michael Haigh

Michael Haigh (1935 – 31 October 1993) was a New Zealand actor, narrator and teacher.

Career alt=doorway from the outside of the building taken from an angle, the doors are open. white wood and red painted brick and stone work. a sign above the door says Circa Theatre Haigh grew interested in theatre while attending Rongotai College. After leaving school he considered going into either journalism or teaching, but he settled on teaching and attended Wellington Teachers’ Training College in the 1950s. During this time, Haigh was active with The Thespians and Unity Theatre in Wellington.

His first television role was playing an officer in Gone up North for a While in 1972. In 1976 he was one of the founding members of Circa Theatre in Wellington, along with Ray Henwood, Grant Tilly, Susan Wilson, Jean Betts and others. The idea was conjured at a dinner party at Haigh's house in Miramar. It was the second professional theatre in Wellington, after Downstage.

The first play he directed was Roger Hall's Middle Age Spread at Circa Theatre in 1977.

Death Haigh died in Wellington on 31 October 1993. A tribute to Haigh was held at Old St Paul's in Wellington which ended with a standing ovation.

Filmography Gone Up North for a While (1972) Richard John Seddon - Premier (1973) One of Those People that Live in the World (1973) Country Calendar - Fred Dagg (1974) Landfall - A Film about Ourselves (1975) Close to Home (1975-1983) Men and Super Men (1975) Moynihan (1976-1977) The Les Deverett Variety Hour (1978) The Deep End - The Captain’s Play (1980) Keeling Over (1980) - As Narrator Gliding On (1981-1985) Loose End - The Pumice Land (1981) Carry Me Back (1982) Bad Blood (1982) Among the Cinders (1983) Rabbiter’s Rest - A Fair Cop (1983) Wild Horses (1983) Country GP (1984-1985) Mr Wrong (1985) Footrot Flats - The Dog’s Tale (1986) Dangerous Orphans (1986) Send a Gorilla (1988) Absent Without Leave (1992)