Australian Biography Series - Hayes Gordon (Study Guide)

Synopsis

Hayes Gordon was born in 1920 in Boston, USA. He studied pharmacy and worked as a chemist in New York’s Pennsylvania Station. He became an actor quite by accident and eventually worked with people such as Rouben Mamoulian, Jackie Gleason and Karl Malden. Hayes moved to Australia in 1952, performing lead roles in the shows Kismet and Annie Get Your Gun. In 1958 he founded the Ensemble Theatre at Milsons Point, which became a theatrical landmark in Sydney and was responsible for many innovative and challenging productions. After his close association with the Ensemble came to an end, Hayes returned to the stage to play Tevye in two productions of  the highly successful Fiddler on the Roof. It was to become the most celebrated role of his Australian career. In his later years, Hayes Gordon wrote the book Acting and Performing. He received an OBE and an Order of Australia for his services to the arts.

Curriculum Links

This program will have interest and relevance for teachers and students at secondary and tertiary levels. Curriculum links include English, Drama, Music Studies, Media, History, SOSE/HSIE and Civics and Citizenship.