Christopher Horsey | |
|---|---|
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| Born | |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation(s) | Director, Choreographer, Performer, Teacher |
| Years active | 1988 - present |
| Spouse | Lucy Durack |
| Children | 1 |
Christopher Horsey (born 11 July 1972) is an Australian entertainer, director, choreographer and performing arts teacher.
Early Life
editHorsey learnt to perform, teach and choreograph from his mother, Kay Horsey, who had a dance school for 26 years on the Gold Coast.[1]
He began his tap dancing career as a pre-teen in 1984 by finishing in first place in the age 9 to 12 category of the Fred Astaire International Tap and Jazz Championship at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City[2]. At age 13 he appeared on the Australian television show Young Talent Time as their Talent Discovery of the Week[2] and at age 16 performed in the 'Ultimate Event' Frank Sinatra Concert, Sanctuary Cove, Australia [3].
Career
editPerformer
editHorsey has performed onstage since 1989 in productions including 42nd Street (original Australian Cast), Funny Girl, West Side Story, Chicago and Singin' in the Rain [4].
In 2000, he played the role of Angus in the Fox Searchlight Pictures film Bootmen alongside his friend and collaborator Adam Garcia [5], as well as Sam Worthington.
In 2007, Horsey portrayed Andy Lee in a limited showing of 42nd Street in Melbourne [6]. In 2013, he played Lank Hawkins in Crazy For You [4].
In 2014, he plays the role of Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls [7] and that same year he played conman Rooster in Annie [8].
Horsey took on his first role with the opera in 2016, starring as Paul in the Opera Queensland production of Kiss Me, Kate [9].
Horsey rose to fame in the early 90's as an original cast member of Hot Shoe Shuffle, 'The first Australian musical with an all-Australian cast to make it to the West End' [10], in which he originated the role of 'Tip', touring Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Queens Theatre, London. He continued working with Dein Perry joining Tap Dogs on their North American tour, which included 6 months at the Off-Broadway Union Square Theatre [11]. Performances as listed on Playbill.com [12] [13]
| Date | City | Venue | Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 (Jan 14-26) | Chicago, IL | Shubert Theatre | 1997 (Jan 28-Feb 02) | Philadelphia, PA | Merriam Theatre |
| 1997 (Feb 04-09) | Baltimore, MD | Mechanice Theatre | 1997 (Feb 11-16) | Detroit, MI | Fisher Theatre |
| 1997 (Feb 18-23) | Cleveland, OH | Playhouse Theatre | 1997 (Mar 05-Aug 24) | New York City, NY | Union Square Theatre |
| 1997 (Sept 02-Oct 05) | Los Angeles, CA | Veteran Wadsworth Auditorium | 1997 (Oct 07-12) | Sacramento, CA | Community Centre Theatre |
| 1997 (Oct 14-Nov 02) | Honolulu, HI | Hawaii Theatre | 1997 (Nov 18-23) | Phoenix, AZ | Orpheum Theatre |
| 1997 (Nov 25, 26) | Springfield, MO | Enoch Morris | 1997 (Nov 28-30) | St Louis, MO | Fox Theatre |
| 1997 (Dec 02-07) | Philadelphia, PA | Merriam Theatre | 1997 (Dec 09-21) | Montreal, PQ | Theatre St Denis |
| 1997 (Dec 23-28) | Palm Beach, FL | Royal Poinciana Playhouse | 1997/98 (Dec 30-Jan 04) | Detroit, MI | Detroit Opera House |
| 1998 (Jan 06-11) | Ottawa, ON | National Arts Centre | 1998 (Jan 13-Feb 08) | Toronto, ON | Elgin Theatre |
Mr Horsey has appeared in the independently produced Every Single Saturday which played an extra week at Glen Street Theatre however cancelled it's transfer to Theatre Royal, Sydney [14] and both choreographed and performed in Lifeforce [15], both written by Joanna Weinberg. In 2014, Horsey joined the cast of The Tap Pack for their Sydney season at the recently established Hayes Theatre in Potts Point and continued a small tour with the show until it's debut in the Dunstan Playhouse at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2015 [16] [17].
Horsey originated the role of Officer Peter Hammett and choreographed the New Musicals Australia production of The Detective's Handbook [4] at the Hayes Theatre, directed by Jonathan Biggins.
Horsey has featured in five 'Neglected Musicals' shows, Girl Crazy, My Favorite Year, Seesaw, Nick & Nora and Lucky Stiff. Neglected Musicals are presented with scripts in hand, and with piano accompaniment after only a day’s rehearsal [18].
Horsey presented Arts Friday on Eastside Radio for 5 years [19]
Performances
edit- 42nd Street Ensemble
- Hot Shoe Shuffle as 'Tip' (originated)
- West Side Story as 'Big Deal'
- Tap Dogs as '2IC'
- Chicago as 'Harry'/'The Jury'
- Singin' in the Rain as 'Sid Phillips' and first cover for 'Cosmo Brown'
- 42nd Street as 'Andy Lee'
- Crazy For You as 'Lank Hawkins'
- Guys and Dolls as 'Benny Southstreet'
- The Tap Pack as 'Marty'
- Kiss Me, Kate as 'Paul'
- The Detective's Handbook as 'Officer Peter Hammett' (originated)
Choreographer
editHorsey is a 2017 Australian Dance Awards nominee in the 'Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical Theatre' category [20], for his work on Swing on This, a show he has been directing and choreographing since it's international debut at the 2014 Adelaide Cabaret Festival. The show stars Matt Lee, Ben Mingay, Luke Kennedy, Rob Mills and Michael Falzon. Swing on This is a collection of classic swing songs reworked with a more contemporary style, as well as more recent popular music arranged for an 18 piece big band.[21]
Horsey performed in and choreographed Adam Garcia's 2010 and 2011 judges performance on Got To Dance, a British dance competition that was broadcast on Sky 1 in the United Kingdom and Ireland [22]. Horsey was commissioned by Northern Tap Company to create and choreograph a brand new Tap Dance show which he called Soundz Extraordinary for a one night only showing at The Civic Theatre in Barnsley (United Kingdom) on 24 September, 2011 [23].
Mr Horsey choreographed 'Mickey's Christmas Big Band' show at Disneyland Paris and is resident choreographer for Carols In The Domain, broadcast on the Seven Network [24]. In 2012, Horsey choreographed the opening sequence of the Helpmann Awards at the Sydney Opera House featuring host Simon Burke and Genevieve Lemon, Trevor Ashley, Peter Carroll and corps de ballet dancer Montana Rubin from The Australian Ballet.
| Date | Show | Venue | Date | Show | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 (Aug 27) | Dance Boss | Network Seven | 2018 (July 10,11) | The InBESTigators | Gristmill (ABC/TV) |
| 2018 (June 29,30) | A Night At The Speakeasy | Concert Hall, Opera House | 2018 (Mar 15-17) | Godspell | Eternity Playhouse, Sydney |
| 2018 (Mar 10) | Swing On This | Concert Hall, Opera House | 2018 (Mar 07-19) | Godspell | Chapel Off Chapel, Melb |
| 2018 (Feb 24-Mar 08) | The 39 Steps | Cremorne Theatre, QPAC | 2018 (Feb 14) | Witches | Joondalup Resort |
| 2017 (Dec 17) | Carols In The Domain | Network Seven | 2017 (Oct - Dec) | Mickey's Christmas Big Band | Disneyland Paris |
| 2017 (July 25-Aug 05) | West Side Story | Conservatorium Theatre, Bris | 2017 (July 06,07) | George Michael, Praying For Time | Concert Hall, Opera House |
| 2017 (June 16,17) | Swing On This | Perth Concert Hall | 2017 (Jan 07) | Swing On This | Concert Hall, QPAC |
| 2016 (Dec 18) | Carols In The Domain | Network Seven | 2016 (Nov 14) | Rob Guest Endowment | Lyric Theatre, Sydney |
| 2016 (Nov 12) | Kiss Me, Kate | Concert Hall, QPAC | 2016 (June 19) | Swing On This | Theatre Royal, Sydney |
| 2016 (Apr 21-May 07) | The Detective's Handbook | Hayes Theatre, Sydney | 2015 (Nov 10) | Rob Guest Endowment | The Capitol Theatre, Sydney |
| 2015 (May 04-06) | The Bugalugs Bum Thief | Riverside Theatre, Parramatta | 2015 (April 29-May 02) | The Bugalugs Bum Thief | Glen Street Theatre |
| 2015 (April 16-24) | The Bugalugs Bum Thief | Darling Quarter Theatre, Darling Harbour, Sydney | 2015 (Feb 16) | Swing On This | Arts Centre, Gold Coast |
| 2014 (June 04-06) | Everybody Loves Lucy | Hayes Theatre | 2014 (Oct 12) | Iconic A Cappella At The House | The Studio, Sydney Opera House |
Performing Arts Teacher
editHorsey teaches drama, musical theatre and tap dance.
He has taught and lectured at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Sydney Dance Company, Academy Of Music & Performing Arts (AMPA), Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Excelsia College (formally Wesley Institute), ED5 International and Brent Street School Of Performing Arts [25] [26] [27]
Awards
editFirst Place - Fred Astaire International Tap & Jazz Championship 1984 [2]
People's Choice Award, Short Sweet & Dance Festival 2007 [28] for his Seinfeld inspired Tap show 3 Hits And A Miss
Australian Dance Awards nominee in the 'Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical Theatre' category, for his work on Swing on This 2017 [29]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | The Adventures Of Roman Pilgrim | Roman Pilgrim | Anny Slater |
| 2001 | Changi (miniseries) | Shadow Dancer | Kate Woods |
| 2000 | Bootmen | Angus | Dein Perry |
Personal life
editHorsey married Australian film, TV and stage actress Lucy Durack on Rottnest Island off the coast of Perth, Western Australia on April 05, 2014 [30]. They have one daughter [31].
References
edit- ^ Coastal Dance About Us, Retrieved Aug 25, 2018.
- ^ a b c Tap Dancing Resources Retrieved Aug 25, 2018.
- ^ Dance Life Biography, Retrieved Aug 29, 2018.
- ^ a b c Ausstage, Retrieved Aug 25, 2018
- ^ http://dancemagazine.com.au/2010/08/adam-garcia%E2%80%99s-got-to-tap/ Dance Magazine interview Adam, Retrieved Aug 25, 2018.]
- ^ The Age review Jim Murphy Retrieved Aug 26, 2018.
- ^ Simon Parris review Retrieved Aug 25, 2018.
- ^ Packemin website Retrieved Aug 25, 2018.
- ^ http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/reviews/kiss-me-kate-1 Stage Whispers review Retrieved Aug 25, 2018]
- ^ Aussies tap into the West End by Judy Hughes Jan, 17, 1994 Retrieved Aug 25, 2018.
- ^ BroadwayWorld Tap Dogs original cast list Retrieved Aug 26, 2018.
- ^ Playbill Tour schedule pre NY Retrieved Aug 25, 2018.
- ^ Playbill Tour schedule post NY Retrieved Aug 25, 2018.
- ^ SMH Theatre Review Retrieved Aug 25, 2018.
- ^ Stage Whispers, review Retrieved Aug 25, 2018.
- ^ The Tap Pack, The Pack Retrieved Aug 25, 2018
- ^ Adelaide Now review Retrieved Aug 25, 2018.
- ^ Neglected Musicals website Retrieved Aug 26, 2018.
- ^ Eastside website Retrieved Aug 27, 2018.
- ^ ausdance website longlist Retrieved Aug 27, 2018.
- ^ "Swing On This". Adelaide Festival Centre. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
- ^ Adam Garcia exorcist interview Retrieved Aug 26, 2018.
- ^ BBC online interview Retrieved Aug 26, 2018.
- ^ SSO Speakeasy program PDF Retrieved Aug 26, 2018.
- ^ Qld Con website Godspell Retrieved Aug 27, 2018.
- ^ AMPA website Our People Retrieved Aug 27, 2018.]
- ^ xlr8arts Home Retrieved Aug 27, 2018.
- ^ Arts Review Trent Kidd Retrieved Aug 27, 2018.
- ^ ausdance website longlist Retrieved Aug 27, 2018.
- ^ Perth Now article Retrieved Aug 27, 2018.
- ^ Perth Now article Linda Parri Retrieved Aug 27, 2018.