Peter Batey (director)

Peter Batey (193314 June 2019) was an Australian actor, director and founder of the Bald Archy Prize. He was a founding member of the Melbourne Theatre Company and the South Australian Theatre Company.

Peter Batey
Born1933
Benalla, Victoria
Died14 June 2019(2019-06-14) (aged 85–86)
Occupation(s)Actor, director
Organization(s)Melbourne Theatre Company, South Australian Theatre Company
Known forFounding the Bald Archy Prize

Early life and education

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Batey was born in Benalla, Victoria in 1933 and moved to Melbourne when he was 16, where he studied drama.[1]

Career

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Batey worked as a playwright, a director, a founding member of both the Melbourne Theatre Company and the South Australian Theatre Company[1] 1961 saw the debut of his first play The No Hopers;[2][3] he directed approximately 130 others.[1] He was the first director of the Victorian Arts Council[1] and helped Barry Humphries create the Dame Edna Everage character.[4]

Batey Launched the Bald Archy Prize in 1994[5] scheduled to occur during the Festival of Fun in the town of Coolac where he lived at that time.[1]

He was awarded the Order of Australia in 1999 for services to community and arts.[1]

Death

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Batey died when on 14 June 2019 while driving to his home in Cootamundra, his car struck a tree in Coolac. He may have had a heart attack.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "'Unthinkable': Founder of Australia's satirical art prize dies aged 85". ABC News. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  2. ^ Arms and the Man (6 March 1963 – April 1963) [Event description], 1963, retrieved 29 May 2015
  3. ^ The No-Hopers (10 April 1963 – 10 April 1963) [Event description], 1963, retrieved 29 May 2015
  4. ^ "From the archives: A century of schooling". Benalla Ensign. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  5. ^ "From Scomo to Albo, no one is safe from satirical art prize the Bald Archies". ABC News. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.