Gordon Maitland ChaterAM (6 April 1922 – 12 December 1999) was an English Australian comedian and actor, and recipient of the Gold Logie, he appeared in revue, theatre, radio, television and film, with a career spanning almost 50 years.[1]
Biography
Early life and career
Chater was born in Bayswater, West London and attended Cottesmore School as a child.[2] He attended Cambridge University to study medicine but did not finish his degree, instead taking part in many student revues.
Chater was critical of early Australian television direction which he characterised as too often "'feet, knees and in the distance pictures'. People watching TV are interested in people and close ups in Australia were hard to come by in the early days of Australian television."[4]
Gordon Chater later worked in the United States, including appearing on Broadway.
In the 1970s Chater was particularly associated with the play The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin by Steve J. Spears, the stage role for which he became best known. The play broke new ground in Australian theatre with its shocking opening scene (in which Chater walked onstage naked) and its discussion of paedophilia.[3]
"The Dictionary of Performing Arts in Australia — Theatre . Film . Radio . Television — Volume 1" — Ann Atkinson, Linsay Knight, Margaret McPhee — Allen & Unwin Pty. Ltd., 1996
"The Australian Film and Television Companion" — compiled by Tony Harrison — Simon & Schuster Australia, 1994
"The Importance of Being Earnest" — (information and photo): [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]
