Maggie Dence Explained

Maggie Dence
Birth Name:Margaret Helen Dence
Birth Date:1942 2, df=yes
Birth Place:Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation:Actress, comedienne
Spouse:Graham Rouse
Years Active:1959–present

Margaret Helen Dence (born 1 February 1942) is an Australian actress of stage and screen, with a career spanning some seven decades. She is equally at home in both comedy and drama roles.

Dence[1] is best known to early audiences for her roles in the satirical TV comedy The Mavis Bramston Show, and also serving as that series' mascot (originally portrayed by Noeline Brown).

Dence featured in comedy Kingswood Country with stars Ross Higgins and Judi Farr as snobbish Merle Bullpit.

Her dramatic roles she is known for were in TV series The Sullivans as Rose Sullivan, Prisoner as Bev Baker and Neighbours as school headmistress Dorothy Burke.

Professional career

TV and Film

Mavis Bramston and Kingswood Country

Dence played various characters influential Australian satirical sketch comedy program The Mavis Bramston Show from 1966 and 1968. One of her characters was the title character Mavis Bramston[2] – the joke being that Mavis appeared in only the opening segment of each episode and was not seen again thereafter. She was also a recurring guest in the popular 1980s sitcom Kingswood Country, playing the snobbish Merle Bulpitt.

Soap opera: The Sullivans, Prisoner and Neighbours

Her best-known soap opera roles are The Sullivans as the sweet-natured Rose Sullivan between 1976 and 1978, Prisoner in a darker role in 1984 as an evil psychopath and serial killer called Bev 'The Beast' Baker, and Neighbours as stern school headmistress Dorothy Burke in the early 1990s.

Other roles

Dence also had smaller cameo roles in TV serials A Country Practice,[3] The Flying Doctors, All Saints and Heartbreak High.

In 2005 she appeared in the award-winning Australian film Look Both Ways.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1971Wake in FrightReceptionistFeature film
1982Shop assistantFeature film
1982Italian LadyFeature film
1988CherithFilm short
1989Luigi's LadiesShandraFeature film
2003Danny DeckchairMeredith ButcherFeature film
2003Peter PanLady Quiller Couch
2005Look Both WaysJoanFeature film
2009GraceNonaFilm short
2015Old WitchFilm short
2015ElaineFilm short
2016Film short
2016SetaceousFilm short
2018GrannyGrannyFilm short
2018Inside WaterYabbyFilm short
2019StrangersBibiFilm short
20??Dirt CheapIreneFeature film
2021The Drover's WifeMrs. Shirley McGuinessFeature film
2023The Appleton Ladies' Potato RaceMiss VaughnFeature film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1966–1968The Mavis Bramston ShowRegular lead role: Mavis BramstonTV series
1966In Perth TonightGuest - HerselfTV series
1967; 1975HomicideGuest role: Elaine FlemingTV series, 1 episode: "The Legacy"
1968–1969I've Married a BachelorRecurring roleTV series, 3 episodes "You Tell Me Your Dreams, I'll Tell You My Dreams", "Into the Breach"
1969Skippy the Bush KangarooGuest role: SopranoTV series, 1 episode: "El Toro"
1970The Link MenGuest role: Edie WhitmanTV series, 1 episode 11: "Somebody's Kid Is Missing"
1972A Nice Day at the OfficeGuest role: Mrs. QuiggleyTV series, 1 episode
1973BoneyGuest role: Mrs. CouttsTV series, 1 episode: "Boney and the Emu Man"
1973Division 4Guest role: Marion EvansTV series, 1 episode: "Willie"
1974Silent NumberGuest role: Nurse Janet KayTV series, 1 episode: "Bang, Bang, You're Dead"
1975HomicideGuest roles: Anne Carson / Elaine FlemingTV series, 1 episode: "Brick Veneer"
1976–1979The SullivansRegular role: Aunty Rose SullivanTV series, 250 episodes
1979Doctor Down UnderGuest cast: Mrs. PeabodyTV series, 1 episode: "A Bird in the Hand"
1979The Mike Walsh ShowGuest - HerselfTV series, 1 episode
1980Trial by MarriageTV series
1980–1984Kingswood CountryRegular role:Merle BullpitTV series, 18 episodes;
1981A Town Like AliceRecurring role: Mrs. O'ConnorTV miniseries, 2 episodes
1981Daily at DawnGuest role:TV series, 1 episode
1981The World Around Us

Stress - It Wasn't Meant to be Easy

HerselfTV documentary
1981A Country PracticeGuest role: Jan HardyTV series, 2 episodes: "Secrets: Parts 1 & 2"
1981Holiday IslandGuest roleTV series, 1 episode
1982A Country PracticeGuest role: Courtney FraserTV series, 2 episodes: "Show Down: Parts 1 & 2"
1984A Country PracticeGuest role: Blanche MitchellTV series, 2 episodes: "Ships in the Night: Parts 1 & 2"
1984PrisonerRecurring role: Bev BakerTV series, 6 episodes
1985The PerfectionistRosie PetersTV film
1985PossessionGuest role: Lady ShannonTV series
1985WINNERS: The Other Facts of LifePsychiatristTV film
1987Willing and AbelGuest role:TV series, 1 episode: "Miss September"
1987The Flying DoctorsGuest role: Helen ManningTV series, 1 episode: "Sapphire"
1988Act of BetrayalDorothyTV film
1989A Country PracticeGuest role: Victoria FlemingTV series, 2 episodes: "Bel Canto: Parts 1 & 2"
1989Rafferty's RulesGuest role: Vanessa PearceTV series, 1 episode
1989Edens LostRecurring role: ProducerTV miniseries, 4 episodes
1989Home BrewMarjorie DaleyTV film
1990More Winners: The Big WishLady MikeevilTV film
1990–1993NeighboursRegular role: Dorothy BurkeTV series, 356 episodes
1994G.P.Guest role: Judith MarrTV series, 1 episode: "Coitus Interruptus"
1994The Mavis Bramston 30th AnniversaryHerselfTV special
1995CorrelliGuest role: Maureen BarnesTV series, 1 episode: "An Early Release"
1995Neighbours: A 10th Anniversary CelebrationHerselfTV special
199640 Years of TV Stars... Then and NowHerselfTV special
1997Heartbreak HighGuest role: Mrs. MacTV series, 1 episode
1998Blue HeelersGuest role: Elizabeth SchulzTV series, 1 episode: "Letting Go"
1998Driven CrazyGuest role: Granny RoseTV series, 1 episode: "Mousechap"
1998-2007All SaintsGuest roles: Lyn Brown / Maggie Cooper / June MarkhamTV series, 5 episodes, 1 episode: "Forget Me Not"
2000Water RatsGuest role: Joy TurnerTV series, 1 episode: "Mummy Dearest"
2000Grass RootsGuest role: Ellen LeonardTV series, 1 episode: "The Whole Year"
2000StingersGuest role: Celia JonesTV series, 1 episode: "Organised Crime"
2001Good Morning AustraliaGuest - HerselfTV series, 1 episode
2002Fairy Tale Police DepartmentRegular role: (voice)TV series, 26 episodes: "Pinocchio: Puppet in Peril"
2002Always GreenerGuest role: Sister SternTV series, 1 episode: "Understanding the Cry"
2002–2003All SaintsRecurring role: June MarkhamTV series, episodes: "Chemistry", "Trust", "Friend in Need"
2006RomaTV film
2006Ten NewsHerself at Australian TV 50 Years exhibitTV series, 1 episode
2008Milly, MollyVoiceTV series
2008Out of the BlueRegular role: Olive HammondTV series, 17 episodes
2012; 2015The Morning ShowGuest - HerselfTV series, 1 episode
2013The Very Trevor Ashley ShowGuest role: Old LadyTV series, 1 episode: "Pilot"
2013–2015WonderlandRecurring role: Ruth MacPhersonTV series, 9 episodes
2013; 2016Today ExtraGuest - HerselfTV series, 1 episode
2014; 2016Black ComedyGuest roleTV series, 2 episodes
2015The Morning ShowGuest - HerselfTV series, 1 episode
2015Ready for ThisGuest role: MabelTV series, 1 episode: "Fresh Meat"
2016The Daily EditionGuest - HerselfTV series, 1 episode
2016; 2019Today ExtraGuestTV series, 2 episodes
2016RakeGuest role: JanetABC TV series, 1 episode: "4.3"
2017Attack! AttackArt?Regular role: GranTV series, 4 episodes
2019Today ExtraGuest - HerselfTV series, 1 episode
2019The CommonsGuest role: JaniceTV miniseries, 1 episode
2019FrayedRecurring role: Mrs AtkinsABC TV series, 7 episodes
2022Pushing The Boundaries: The Mavis Bramston ShowHerselfFilm documentary
2022-2023Heartbreak HighRecurring role: NanTV series, 3 episodes
2022Significant OthersRecurring role: PamABC TV series, 3 episodes
2023The Messenger[4] Regular role: Milla RosebyABC TV series, 6 episodes
2023Queen of OzGuest role: JuneTV series, episode: "Ginger Eyebrows"

Theatre

[5]

YearProductionVenue
1959VolponeIndependent Theatre
1960The CrucibleIndependent Theatre
1960ClerambardIndependent Theatre
1960Inherit the WindIndependent Theatre
1962RhinocerosIndependent Theatre
1962What's New?Phillip St Theatre
1962The Rose and the RingIndependent Theatre
1963The RageCopenhagen Downstairs Revue
1963Twenties SpectacularIndependent Theatre
1963Abousir and AboukirIndependent Theatre
1966Muriel's VirtuesIndependent Theatre
1967Hail Gloria FitzpatrickPhillip St Theatre
1968Breath of SpringIndependent Theatre
1969The WomenIndependent Theatre
1970Oh, Sir Henry!
1972Blop Goes the WeazelUniversity of NSW, Parade Theatre 1
1973Bonbons and Roses for DollyJane Street Theatre
1974KookaburraNimrod Theatre
1975Girl's Night OutJools Theatre Restaurant
1975Balance of PaymentsTregear Community Centre & AMP Theatrette, Sydney (2 performances)
1976Still Life with ApplesBankstown Town Hall & AMP Theatrette, Sydney (2 performances)
1976Kennedy's ChildrenNimrod Theatre
1976The Shoemaker's HolidaySydney Opera House
1978The Comedy of ErrorsNimrod Theatre
1978The Lady from Maxim'sSydney Opera House
1979Last of the Red Hot LoversEnsemble Theatre
1979The SeaNimrod Theatre
1980Has He AnyoneEnsemble Theatre
1981The Man from MukinupinSydney Ooera House
1982Annie[6] Canberra Theatre
1982The Provok'd WifeUniversity of NSW, Parade Theatre
1982Camino RealUniversity of NSW, Parade Theatre
1982Four Lady Bowlers in a Golden HoldenKinselas, Darlinghurst & Canberra Theatre
1983Sweeney ToddQ Theatre, Penrith
1984 The Season at SarsaparillaThe Playhouse, Adelaide
1985The Resistible Rise of Arturo UiSeymour Centre
1985Arms and the ManSeymour Centre
1986Having a Ball..!Canberra Theatre
1987The One Day of the YearEnsemble Theatre
1987See How They RunNorthside Theatre, Killara,
1988Steel MagnoliasSeymour Centre & Melbourne Athenaeum
1988A Small Family BusinessNorthside Theatre, Killara
1989CurtainsNorthside Theatre, Killara
1993AwayRiverside Theatres, Parramatta
1994GoodworksQ Theatre, Penrith
1996The Shoe-Horn SonataPlayhouse Theatre, Perth
1996Virtual UnrealityTilbury Hotel, Woolloomooloo
1996Good WorksThe Space, Adelaide & Wharf 2 Theatre, Sydney
1997 MongrelsWharf 1 Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company
1998After the BallSydney Opera House
2001Noises OffSydney Opera House
2003Uncle VanyaDarlinghurst Theatre
2003The KidTheatre Royal, Hobart
2005Close to HomeStables Theatre
2008Attack of the Granny BoomersParade Theatre
2014Once in Royal David's CityBelvoir Street Theatre
2015SeventeenBelvoir Street Theatre
2016The Turquoise ElephantStables Theatre
2017Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad ZooOld Fitzroy Theatre
2018Marjorie PrimeEnsemble Theatre
2019Baby DollEnsemble Theatre

Awards and recognition

Dence was named (on 29 September) the 2011 recipient of the Equity Awards Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding services to the performing arts – both stage and screen – and her longstanding involvement with the NSW Actors' Benevolent Fund. The award, presented by Foxtel, is from Maggie's peers and members of her union, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance Equity (Performers) Section, which she joined in 1962.

Dence was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours "for service to the performing arts".[7] [8]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Maggie Dence. Auslit.
  2. News: 15 January 1982 . LIFESTYLE TV- ARTS- ENTERTAINMENT Maggie Dence revels in her 'Annie' role . 29 May 2024 . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 11 . National Library of Australia . 56 . 16,911.
  3. News: 15 January 1982 . LIFESTYLE TV- ARTS- ENTERTAINMENT Maggie Dence revels in her 'Annie' role . 29 May 2024 . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 11 . National Library of Australia . 56 . 16,911.
  4. Web site: Production to begin on the Messenger | TV Tonight . 29 May 2022 .
  5. Web site: AusStage .
  6. News: 15 January 1982 . LIFESTYLE TV- ARTS- ENTERTAINMENT Maggie Dence revels in her 'Annie' role . 29 May 2024 . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 11 . National Library of Australia . 56 . 16,911.
  7. Web site: Ms Margaret Helen Dence AM . Australian Honours . . 21 June 2022.
  8. Web site: The Queens Birthday 2022 Honours List .