Marcus Cooney (1937–1987) was an Australian dramatist and theatre producer.
History edit
Cooney was born in Burnie, Tasmania and educated at St Virgil's College, Hobart, and at the University of Tasmania.[1][2]
He joined the Tasmanian Education Department and spent some years as a science teacher on King Island.[3][4] He was for a long time associated with the University of Tasmania's "Old Nick Company", acting in revues. It was there he met Michael Boddy; they began writing plays together, notably Cash (1972), about the bushranger Martin Cash. He collaborated with Ron Blair on Biggles (1970), which was produced by Sydney's Nimrod Theatre Company. Cooney, Blair and Boddy collaborated on the pantomime Hamlet on Ice, which included contributions from Grahame Bond and Rory O'Donoghue, of later Aunty Jack fame. He wrote and directed the play Between the Lines, with Alex Hay as Henry Lawson, at the 680 Playhouse (previously Independent Theatre, 269–271 Miller Street, North Sydney).[5]
He wrote episodes for the TV series The Group for ATN7 (1971), A Nice Day at the Office (1972), Prisoner (1980) and A Country Practice (1982–1983).
References edit
- ^ "Senior, Junior Bursaries Awarded to City, Country Pupils". The Mercury. Vol. CLXX, no. 24, 655. Tasmania, Australia. 19 December 1949. p. 19. Retrieved 29 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Australian Universities Drama Festival in Adelaide". Woroni. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 29 September 1960. p. 5. Retrieved 29 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "K.I. Teacher Demonstrates at State Science Seminar". King Island News. Vol. 49, no. 2630. Tasmania, Australia. 19 April 1961. p. 9. Retrieved 28 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Teachers Given Opportunity to Complete Degree". King Island News. Vol. 50, no. 2664. Tasmania, Australia. 13 December 1961. p. 7. Retrieved 28 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "... So let us fill our glasses, and Toast the Days of Gold." Tharunka. Vol. 23, no. 28. New South Wales, Australia. 31 October 1977. p. 27. Retrieved 28 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "AustLit:Marcus Cooney". University of Queensland. Retrieved 28 July 2023.