Richard Wherrett

Richard Bruce Wherrett AM (10 December 19407 December 2001) was an Australian stage director, whose career spanned 40 years. He is known for being the founding director of the Sydney Theatre Company in 1979.

Early life Richard Wherrett was born on 10 December 1940, the younger brother of motoring journalist Peter Wherrett.

He was educated at Trinity Grammar School in Sydney, before attending the University of Sydney, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1961. His contemporaries at the university included Clive James, Germaine Greer, Bruce Beresford, Mungo McCallum, Bob Ellis, John Bell, John Gaden, Laurie Oakes and Les Murray.

After falling off stage during a university performance of The Three Musketeers, Wherrrett abandoned the idea of acting, but discovered his love of directing while in London in the mid-1960s.

Old Tote Theatre Company He moved back in Australia in 1970, and worked for the ABC in South Australia, before becoming an assistant on King Oedipus and assistant director on Major Barbara, both for the Old Tote Theatre. Soon after, he was appointed associate director to Robin Lovejoy, as well as artistic director of the Australian Theatre for Young People. His tenure was short-lived, and he ultimately returned to London for a spell, teaching again at East 15. He also directed the world premiere of Summer of the Seventeenth Doll for the Victorian State Opera and Opera Australia.

His last major production was the Johnny O'Keefe musical Shout! The Legend of the Wild One, which toured interstate.

Wherett was the creative director for the lighting of the torch segment of the Opening Ceremony for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

From 1985 to 1988 Wherrett was a member of the Australia Council's Performing Arts Board.

In 1992 Wherrett became artistic director of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, but resigned after producing only two festivals.

2000–01

Source:

Film Year Title Role Type 1981 The Girl Who Met Simone de Beauvoir in Paris Director Short film 1981 The Applicant Director Short film 1982 The Girl from Moonooloo Director ABC TV play 1995 Billy's Holiday Director Feature film

Personal life Wherrett knew he was gay from the age of 17. Nevertheless, he had a well-publicised relationship with the actress Jacki Weaver from 1971 to 1974. Weaver claimed she always knew about Wherrett's sexual orientation, but nevertheless described him as the love of her life. She even moved back in with Wherrett to nurse him during his final days.

Death and legacy Wherrett died of liver failure on 7 December 2001, three days before his 61st birthday. It was also after warding off the effects of HIV for 15 years. His funeral service was held at St John's Anglican Church, Darlinghurst, with ushers provided by the Sydney Opera House. The General Manager of the Opera House, Michael Lynch, dimmed the lights on the Opera House sails in what Jacki Weaver called "a movingly fitting tribute".

Richard Wherrett Fellowship

The 'Richard Wherrett Fellowship' was created in his memory by the STC in his memory. Over the years it has been granted to the following recipients:

Recipients Year Recipient Ref 2003 Joseph Couch 2006 Wayne Blair 2007 Lee Lewis 2011 Sarah Giles 2014 Imara Savage 2015, 2016 Paige Rattray 2017 Jessica Arthur 2019, 2020 Shari Sebbens 2021 Courtney Stewart 2022 Ian Michael