Darien Ruth Takle ONZM is a New Zealand actor, playwright and teacher. Takle is best known for playing Cyrene, Xena's mother in Xena: Warrior Princess. In 2021, Takle was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the performing arts.
Darien Takle | |
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| Born | 1950 |
| Alma mater | Toi Whakaari, Toi Whakaari |
| Awards | Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit |
Early life and education
editTakle was in Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School's first intake in 1970, and graduated with a Bachelor of Performing Arts. She also earned a Diploma of Fine Arts at Auckland University’s Elam School of Fine Arts, specialising in sculpture, and two diplomas at Unitec Institute of Technology.[1][2] She is married to musician Matthew Brown, and they have written several comedy shows together.[3]
Career
editTakle's professional debut was at the Mercury Theatre in 1973.[2] Receiving an Arts Council grant, Takle travelled to the UK where she toured in Godspell, and established her own theatre company in London.[4] Returning to New Zealand, Takle devised and performed a show of Brecht/Weill songs, created the title role in Pam Gems's Piaf at Theatre Corporate, and wrote and performed a solo show about painter Frances Hodgkins, Wings Over Water.[2][1]
Takle has performed internationally in the UK, America and Australia.[3] She has appeared in multiple stage roles, including as Fantine in Les Miserables, Eva Peron in Evita, and Cordelia in King Lear.[1] She has appeared in more than eight Roger Hall plays, including Taking Off and You Can Always Hand Them Back.[5][1][6] Takle's television credits include Xena's mother in Xena: Warrior Princess, and roles in Shortland Street, Marlin Bay, and Burying Brian. Film credits include the Headmistress in Heavenly Creatures, and Ruth Scarry in The Lost Tribe.[4]
Takle has taught acting, and is known for her mentorship of young actors, filmmakers and playwrights.[4] She has also recorded an album, No Regrets.[1]
Honours and awards
editIn the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours, Takle was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the performing arts.[4] At the 2003 New Zealand Film Awards, she won Best Performance in a Digital Feature for her role in Gregory King's Christmas.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Darien Takle". The Court Theatre. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ^ a b c Dart, William. "Darien Takle's Portrait of Frances Hodgkins". Art New Zealand. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Forging an Arts Career: Darien Takle". www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Queen's Birthday Honours 2021 - Citations for Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ^ Hallsays, Roger (8 September 2024). "Roger Hall's "Taking Off". Footloose and Free". New Zealand Arts Review. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ^ "Favourite Things: Actress Darien Takle". NZ Herald. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
External links
edit- No Regrets, songs performed by Darien Takle, via YouTube