Rhys McConnochie

Rhys McConnochie (born 28 December 1936) is a New Zealand-born actor, director and educator based in Australia.

Career

Born to a Scottish father and educated at Auckland Grammar School, McConnochie began his acting career in New Zealand, producing and starring in a stage production of Murder in the Cathedral in Gisborne. However, by the early 1960s, he decided to try his luck in England. A government bursary took him to Paris where he spent two years at the Antonetti Mime School. Afterwards, he spent two years with the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford and Aldwych. Further repertory included Lincoln, Birmingham, Exeter and the Everyman Theatre, Liverpool, as well as appearances in television series. During this time, McConnochie became Associate Director at the Gateway Theatre, Cheshire and Theatre Royal Stratford East.

Returning to New Zealand in 1981, McConnochie was invited to perform in Sydney and has since worked in Australia.

Film & television His screen appearances include the TV miniseries Bodyline as Pelham Warner and Darlings of the Gods as Ralph Richardson and the 1985 film Robbery.

For his performance in Come in Spinner, McConnochie was nominated for the 1990 Australian Film Institute Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, in a Mini-Series or Telefeature.

Theatre McConnochie has also had a long theatre career working on the likes of Sixteen Words for Water for the Sydney Theatre Company, Inheritance with the Melbourne and Sydney Theatre Companies and the original production of Bingo at the Northcott Theatre.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Type 1983 The Amorous Dentist TV movie 1984 The Wild Duck Dr Roland Feature film 1985 The Empty Beach Garth Green Feature film 1985 Robbery Michael Webster TV movie 1986 Charley's Web Prime Minister Lowe TV movie 1986 Short Changed School Principal Feature film 1987 Bullseye Justice Collins Film 1988 The Man from Snowy River II Alistair Patton Sr. Feature film

Television Year Title Role Type 1965 The Wars of the Roses Vernon TV play 1967 Doctor Who Rod 1 episode; serial: The Enemy of the World 1980 The Imitation Game Technical Officer TV play 1984 Bodyline Pelham Warner TV miniseries 1984 Special Squad Mathieson TV series (episode 21: "A Wild Oat") 1985 Anzacs Lloyd George TV miniseries 1988 Australians TV series (episode 13: "Errol Flynn") 1989 Brotherhood of the Rose Orlik TV miniseries 1989 Darlings of the Gods Ralph Richardson TV miniseries 1990 Come In Spinner Angus McFarland TV miniseries, 4 episodes 2002-03 MDA Giles Jones, QC TV series 2013 Paper Giants: Magazine Wars Lionel King TV miniseries

Theatre

As actor Year Title Role Venue / Company 1973 Bingo Ben Jonson Northcott Theatre 2003 Inheritance William Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne with Melbourne Theatre Company & Sydney Opera House with Sydney Theatre Company

As crew Year Title Role Venue / Company 2003 Sixteen Words for Water Director The Wharf Theatre / Sydney Theatre Company 1969 The Lincoln Cycle of Mystery Plays Assistant York Cathedral with Lincoln Theatre Royal

Awards & nominations Year Nominated work Award Category Result 1990 Come In Spinner Australian Film Institute Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, in a Mini-Series or Telefeature