Glynn Nicholas | |
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Born |
Bristol, England |
October 16, 1952
Nationality | Australian |
Occupation | Actor, comedy performer, director, writer and producer |
Glynn Nicholas (born 16 October 1952 in Bristol, England) is an Australian actor, comedy performer, director, writer and producer.
Glynn Nicholas began as a busker while travelling through Europe on his Norton in 1977. His act consisted of singing and playing up to three instruments at the same time. Over time his focus shifted to include physical comedy, magic, mime and audience participation. During the late 1970s and early '80s he busked in USA, Australia, and Europe. He often played in Adelaide, and became renowned locally for the large crowds of many hundreds as he entertained in the central shopping precinct, Rundle Mall, which had recently been closed to traffic. In 1982, he studied mime in Adelaide with Zora Semberova, to whom he attributes his success, and circus skills at San Francisco's Hayward College and performed regularly at Pier 39. In 1986 he was crowned National Champion at the Australian Busking Championships.
Nicholas first appeared on Australian television as a presenter on Channel 9's children's show Here's Humphrey, performing songs, dances, stories and games with a large pant-less mute bear. In 1991 he was nominated for an ARIA award for best children's album.
Off air he developed a character called Paté Biscuit, a parody of another presenter on Fat Cat, Patsy Biscoe. He mimicked her distinctive bob haircut, sing-song voice and 'school-prefect' manner but added cruelty, blood and a naughty hand puppet called Bongo to the juvenile story-telling.
In 1989 Patẻ Biscuit found a ready audience on the ABC's new comedy show The Big Gig, where Nicholas had a regular spot. In one episode, the real Patsy Biscoe was seen presenting The Big Gig show with Bongo, having tied Patẻ Biscuit up. In 1990 he took over the role as host from Wendy Harmer for two seasons.