Kate Harcourt Explained

Honorific Prefix:Dame
Kate Harcourt
Birthname:Catherine Winifred Fulton
Birth Date:1927 6, df=yes
Birth Place:Amberley, New Zealand
Occupation:Actress
Yearsactive:1960s–present
Children:2

Dame Catherine Winifred Harcourt (née Fulton; born 16 June 1927), known professionally as Kate Harcourt, is a New Zealand actress. Over her long career she has worked in comedy as well as drama in theatre, film, TV and radio.

Personal life

Harcourt was born and grew up on a sheep station in the rural area of Amberley, New Zealand.[1] Her Australian mother was Winifred Harriet (née Austin) and her father was Gordon Fulton. Harcourt was the youngest of three children, with an older brother, John Fulton, a prominent Canterbury farmer, and president of the Canterbury Jockey Club, as well as an older sister.[2] From age nine onward she attended boarding school, first at Amberley House and then at Woodford House (Hawke's Bay).[3]

Music was important to Harcourt in her early years as it was to her mother too. She went to Christchurch to train as a kindergarten teacher partly so she could continue with her singing and piano. She also attended the Joan Cross Opera School in London.

Harcourt is the mother of actress Miranda Harcourt and former Fair Go television presenter Gordon Harcourt,[4] [5] and grandmother of actresses Thomasin McKenzie, Davida McKenzie and journalist Peter McKenzie. She played a part in the movie adaptation of The Changeover.[6] [7] [8] Harcourt met her husband Peter Harcourt (1923–1995) at Wellington Repertory Theatre. He was from the family that founded Harcourts International real estate. Peter Harcourt died on 6 March 1995 of cancer, two years after being appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order in the 1993 New Year Honours for service to the community as an actor, broadcaster and presenter for 54 years since 1941.[9] The Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai / Wellington Theatre Awards annually has an award called The Peter Harcourt Outstanding New Playwright.[10]

Career

Harcourt returned to New Zealand from London and took up a teaching position at Woodfood House in Havelock North. After that she moved to Wellington initially teaching at Marsden College, before working at the department store Kirkaldie and Stains organising and MC'ing weekly fashion shows for seven years.[11]

Her entry into national entertainment came as a regular voice in the morning Listen with Mother which was a radio show for pre-schoolers on Radio New Zealand. She was later host of the children's TV show Junior Magazine.[12]

Harcourt has acted in numerous stage and screen works. Stage work includes comedy with Hens' Teeth, and acting in a version of Hedda Gabler. She had a long association with theatre company Downstage starting out putting up posters for them. She lists acting in New Zealand playwright Renée's Wednesday to Come as one of her career favourites. Harcourt played Mary in the world premiere at Downstage Theatre in 1984.

In 1998 Harcourt performed on stage alongside her daughter Miranda Harcourt in the biographical Flowers from my Mother's Garden at the New Zealand Festival of the Arts. Written by Harcourt's daughter and son-in-law Stuart McKenzie, it was partly based on letters between mother and daughter.[13] A review stated that the play shared "the experiences of a mother, daughter and extended family with an ingenious simplicity that belies the depth of insight. It's a prime example of how universal the particular can be."

Honours

In the 1996 Queen's Birthday Honours, Harcourt was appointed as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the theatre.[14]

Theatre and screen work

Film

YearProductionRoleProduction Company / DirectorType
2017The ChangeoverWinter CarlisleChangeover Films Ltd, dir. Stuart McKenzie, Miranda HarcourtFeature Film
2013Hope & WireDottyGPP / Hope & Wire ProductionsFeature Film
2008Separation CityMrs SimpsonSeparation City Limited, dir. Paul MiddleditchFeature Film
2007Apron StringsNan (Core Cast)Dir. Sima UraleFeature Film
2007Garage SaleMargieGS Productions Ltd, dir. Paul MurphyFeature Film
2003Without a PaddleOld WomanViacom LtdFeature Film
20023'6" Ltd, dir. Peter JacksonFeature Film
1988Send a GorillaDir. Melanie ReadFeature Film
1984Mr WrongDir. Gaylene PrestonFeature Film
1982Carry Me BackMrs. BrewsterDir. John ReidFeature Film
1981TrespassesDir. Peter SharpFeature Film
1980Beyond Reasonable DoubtDir. John LaingFeature Film

Television

YearProductionRoleProduction Company / DirectorType
2015LumenChambermaidNinth Floor NZ ProductionsDrama
2008The Table Plays – Jack in the boxNanFirst Hand Productions, dir. Keith HunterDrama
2007A Tall Long Faced TaleSophie/ Pirate Mother voiceProduction Shed.TV LtdDrama
2007The Killian Curse 2TVNZDrama
2005The Insider's Guide to LoveShaunGibson GroupDrama
2005Shortland StreetMavis MillerSouth Pacific PicturesDrama
1997William TellCloud 9 Entertainment LtdDrama
1997Mirror, MirrorDir. Gibson GroupDrama
1996 1997HerculesPacific RenaissanceDrama
1995Plain TastesMontana Sunday Theatre, dir. Niki CaroDrama
1994FalloutMargaret ThatcherSouth Pacific Pictures, Avalon StudiosDrama
1991Rodney and JulietDir. Fane FlawsDrama
1987Gloss: Between the Lines(final ep)Drama
1986Worzel GummidgeDrama
1986SeekersDrama
1986Open HouseTVNZDrama
1985Night of the Red HunterDrama
1984Inside StraightDrama
1983Mark llDir. John AndersonDrama
1982Gliding OnDrama
1981Open FileDrama
1980Cleaning CompanyDrama
1980Country GPTVNZDrama
1983Hooks and FeelersDir. Melanie ReadDrama
1964–1965 Junior MagazinePresenter

Short film

YearProductionRoleProduction Company / DirectorType
2017The PactBettyHappiness LtdShort Film
2013PigeonMo Fresh ProductionsShort Film
2012The SilkMrs BlackieDir. Nathalie Boltt, Clare BurgessShort Film
2010Pacific DreamsGrace LeahyMorepork Films Ltd / Inspire Films LtdShort Film
2007The Shoe BoxMartha WilsonDir. Chaz HarrisShort Film
2005The PlantBerylIsola ProductionsShort Film
1994The DigDir. Neil PardingtonShort Film
2012Rhode Island Film FestivalBest Actress in a Short FilmPacific DreamsShort Film
2011Rhode Island Film FestivalBest ActressPacific DreamsShort Film

Theatre

YearProductionRoleProduction Company / Director
2020The Older the Better[15] Hens Teeth
2014Destination BeehiveCirca Theatre, dir. Jan Bolwell
2012Flowers from my Mother's GardenKate HarcourtDownstage Theatre, dir. Tim Spite
2010Auntie & MeAuntieWgtn Opera House / Tour, dir. Kevin Baddeley
2007Babar The ElephantNarratorNZ Symphony Orchestra
2007Uncle VanyaNurseCirca Theatre, dir. Susan Wilson
2006 07Music Hallcore castCenterstage, dir. Kevin Baddeley
2006Truth About LoveExpressions Theatre, Lower Hutt
2006Mum's ChoirAuntie (core cast)Downstage Theatre, dir. Cathy Downes
2003My Fair LadyMrs HigginsDir. Stephen Robinson
2002Halfmen of OCalico Theatre, Napier
2001Musicians of BremenGypsy Capital E / Tour
1998 1999Flowers From My Mothers GardenHarcourt/McKenzieTe Papa Soundings Theatre / Int. Fest of the Arts
1998 1999Son'sMrs McFarlaneTe Papa Soundings Theatre / Int. Fest of the arts
1998 1999WeekendsIris PollardCirca Theatre
1996Hens TeethVariousNZIFA / Circa Theatre
1993Ophelia Thinks HarderGertrudeCirca Theatre
1993Joyful and TriumphantLila BishopCentrepoint Theatre
1992The Importance of Being EarnestLady BracknellCentrepoint Theatre
1991 92Hens TeethAdelaide Festival, Auckland Festival
1990Oracles and MiraclesMotherNational Tour
1990Hedda GablerBerthaDownstage / Edinburgh / Oslo / Sydney / Festival

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Manson. Bess. 31 August 2016. National Portrait – Kate Harcourt, a real dame and still thrilled by performing. 22 September 2020. Stuff. en.
  2. Book: Who's who in New Zealand . Scholefield . Guy Hardy . Lambert . Max . 1991 . Reed . 9780790001302 . en.
  3. Web site: Romanos. Joseph. 25 June 2010. The Wellingtonian interview: Dame Kate Harcourt. 22 September 2020. Stuff. en.
  4. http://www.capitaltimes.co.nz/A-lifetime-walking-the-boards A lifetime walking the boards
  5. http://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/new-idea/real-life/article/-/9973539/the-tables-are-turned "Harcourt siblings: The tables are turned"
  6. Web site: National Portrait – Kate Harcourt, a real dame and still thrilled by performing . Stuff.co.nz . 3 September 2016 . 31 August 2018.
  7. Web site: Victoria Crocker . Dame Kate Harcourt on stage and screen this season | WOW . World of WearableArt . 25 September 2017 . 31 August 2018.
  8. Web site: Kate Harcourt in 'The Changeover' World Premiere – Arrivals . Zimbio . 31 August 2018.
  9. Web site: Peter Harcourt . NZ On Screen . 31 August 2018.
  10. Web site: 9 December 2019. Wellington Theatre Awards 2019. 14 January 2021. The Big Idea. en.
  11. Web site: Harcourt. Catherine Winifred (Dame). 21 February 1994. Interview with Kate Harcourt. 22 September 2020. Interview with Kate Harcourt Items National Library of New Zealand National Library of New Zealand. en.
  12. Web site: NZ On Screen. Kate Harcourt | NZ On Screen. 13 July 2019. www.nzonscreen.com.
  13. Web site: Flowers From My Mother's Garden from Major Plays. 22 September 2020. RNZ. en-nz.
  14. Web site: Queen's Birthday honours list 1996 . 3 June 1996 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 20 July 2020.
  15. Web site: The Older the Better – Circa Theatre. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210802194526/https://www.circa.co.nz/package/the-older-the-better/. 2 August 2021. 2 August 2021. Circa Theatre. en-NZ.