You working?A Rough Chronology

2/10/43: Born in refugee camp in Lausanne,
Switzerland,
1944: Fostered out to family Meyer in
Blumenstein, Switzerland.
1946: Returned to mother now established in Paris.
1948: Mother ill. Henri sent back to Swiss family.
1949: Returned to mother in Paris.
1950: More illness, Henri sent to Rothschild's
Orphanage in St Denis outside Paris.
1951: Arrived in Australia with mother and
sister.
1952: Greenwich Primary School. Joined by
step-father, Maurice, from Paris.
Appeared in many school plays.
1956: North Sydney Tech for 9 months, then
Randwick Boys High.
1958: Began learning acrobatics from George
Sparkes.
1959: Teahouse of the August Moon, played
Sakini, Randwick Boys’ High School. First act only.
1960: The whole show of Teahouse, now joined by girls from Sydney Girls High
School. One of three productions selected to play at Elizabethan Theatre, Newtown;
Leaving Certificate: 2 second class honours, 4 A’s and a B (in English).
1961-65: Sydney University, studied electrical engineering and science.
Graduated: B.Sc. (maths and physics) 1964 and B.E.(electrical, Hon. II) 1966.
1962-66: Studied drama with Hayes Gordon at Ensemble Theatre.
1963: The Physicists by Friedrich Dürenmatt, Ensemble Theatre,
w. Don Reid, Reg Livermore, dir: Hayes Gordon, played for 6 months,
right through sitting for B.Sc.
1964: Seidman & Son by Elick Moll, Viennese Theatre, Anzac House,
w. Owen Grant, dir: Else Baring.
1966: Gainfully employed as 'professional officer'
on research project at Sydney University in Engineering School;
The Apple Cart by Bernard Shaw, Ensemble Theatre.
1967: Homicide, ATN 7, first TV lead - homicidal maniac;
You Can’t See Around Corners ATN 7, played Greek boy;
Paint Your Wagon by Lerner & Loewe, 6 weeks' Arts Council Tour
of NSW. Used tumbling. First theatrical engagement after leaving university.
1968: Don’t Drink the Water, by Woody Allen,
Independent Theatre;
Bells are Ringing & Little Me, Menzies Theatre Restaurant,
w. Nancy Hayes, Colin Croft, (more tumbling);
The Boys in the Band by Mart Crowley - play about gay birthday party - played Harold
the birthday boy. Smash hit, w. John Krummel, dir: John Tasker. In it for 21 months
(no tumbling).
More TV, and start of clubs.
1969: Married actress Mary Ann Severne, Melbourne.
1970: When We Are Married, (a musical adaptation!) Phillip Theatre,
played Herbert Soppitt (lots of tumbling) w. Jill Perryman, Johnny Lockwood;
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Phillip Theatre, w. Johnny Lockwood.
1971: Henri & Mary Ann went to England.
Guest role on Misleading Cases, BBC TV comedy series,
w. Alastair Sym. Guest star John Le Mesurer;
Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare, Victoria Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent,
played Angelo, dir: Peter Cheeseman;
The Genie in Aladdin, also at Stoke (tumbling).
1972: I Claudius, Queens Theatre, London, w.
David Warner, dir: Tony Richardson (more tumbling);
Colditz, BBC TV, w. Robert Wagner, played guest lead;
Strauss Family, ATV;
Mother Goose, pantomime, Theatre Royal Windsor, (would you believe tumbling?)
1973: Prospect Theatre Company, Mediterranean
Tour. Pericles; Royal Hunt of the Sun; Twelfth Night;
dir: Toby Robertson, w. Derek Jacobi.
Birth of Amos, Mary Ann and Henri's first son. 17th December.
1974: Prospect Theatre Company, Russian Tour.
Henri & Mary Ann returned to Australia.
Savages by Christopher Hampton, Ensemble Theatre, w. Don Reid,
dir: Hayes Gordon, Henri played Carlos.
Tully telemovie.
1975: The Good Doctor by Neil Simon, Ensemble
Theatre, w. Colin Croft,
dir: Hayes Gordon, Henri played title role, ran for 6 months;
God Knows Why But It Works, docu-drama on Dr. Archie Kalokerinos,
dir: Phil Noyce, w. Robyn Nevin. Henri played Kalokerinos.
Moynehan ABC TV, New Zealand w. Ray Barrett.
1976: The Beast of Belgrave Square author &
dir: Stanley Walsh, Music Hall, Sydney w. Barry Lovett, Alfred Sandor.
Played for 11 months (of course tumbling);
Wrote, directed and played in The Magic Clown Show, Music Hall
(even more tumbling);
Number 96, Channel 10, for 3 months playing wife Mary Ann's psychotic boyfriend
(no tumbling).
1977: Chopper Squad guest role, Tazio, distraught Italian,
television action series. April.
The King's Men guest role, Deneuve, television action series. May.
Funny Peculiar prod. J.C. Williamsons & Edgley,
Theatre Royal, Sydney & Melbourne, w. George Layton, Bruce Spence,
Katy Wild; June - August.
Say You Want Me telemovie for Channel 9, w. Serge Lazareff.
Logie nomination: Best Supporting Actor. May
Birth of Josh, second son. November 22nd.
The Prisoner of Second Avenue by Neil Simon, Ensemble Theatre,
w. Brian Young, Zika nester, dir. Hayes Gordon. December.
played Harry, dir: Hayes Gordon. December.
1978: Gone With Hardy by David Allen, Nimrod
Theatre w. Kerry Walker, Drew Forsyth, dir: Richard Wherrett;
The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare, Nimrod Theatre, dir: John Bell.
Low Flying lead in short film, dir. Ray Lawrence. June.
The Plumber telemovie w. Ivor Kantz and Judy Morris, dir Peter Weir.
1979: Travelling North, by David Williamson,
Nimrod Theatre, world première w. Frank Wilson, Carol Raye, dir: John Bell.
Played 11 months, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra;
Ride on Stranger, 4 part ABC TV drama series by Peter Yeldham,
w. Noni Hazelhurst, Liddy Clark, dir: Carl Schultz;
A Toast to Melba ABC TV, one hour dramatisation her life,
w. Robyn Nevin. Henri played 5 roles including Sir Thomas Beecham,
Buffalo Bill, Cecchi her teacher, Cardus and the Mayor of Brisbane, dir: Allan Burke;
Tribute by Bernard Slade, Theatre Royal Sydney,
w. Bobby Limb, Tom Burlinson, Julieanne Newbould;
The Oracle guest role, ABC TV, February.
Cop Shop guest role, November.
1980: Sexual Perversity in Chicago & Reunion by David Mamet,
Nimrod Theatre, w. Michael Caton, Lynette Curran, Candy Raymond & Cellia De Burgh;
Daily at Dawn, lead in 13 episodes, ATN 7 sit com. created & written by
Gary Reilly & Tony Sattler, w. Noelene Brown, Robert Hughes,
Paul Chubb, Julieanne Newbould, Terry Bader.
Fatty Fin, feature film, dir: Morris Murphy.
Skyways guest role, March
Kingswood Country, guest role, sit com Channel 7.
The Groom's Tale, ABC Drama w. Barry Otto.
1981:The Best Of Friends, feature film, by Donald McDonald
w. Angela Punch-McGregor & Graham Blundel. March.
Cop Shop, guest role, April.
Mystery at Castle House, children's feature film, Independent Productions
dir. Peter Maxwell.
A Step in the Right Direction, one off ABC drama, dir Di Drew. July.
Bellamy, guest role, July.
Run Rebecca, Run by Charles Stamp, children’s feature film,
won Ruby Slipper LA, 1982, w. Simone Buchanan, John Stanton,
Mary Ann Severne (Henri's wife), dir: Peter Maxwell.
Film written for Henri & Simone. August.
Home Sweet Home, ABC TV sit com w. John Bluthal,
prod John O'Grady. September.
Secret Valley, guest role, children's series, October.
MPSIB, guest role, Vietnamese businessman, Tran Van, dir. Eric Taylor.
November.
The Return of Captain Invincible, feature film, cameo,
w. Alan Arkin, dir Philippe Mora. December.
A Country Practice, guest role. December.
1982: Oklahoma! by Rogers & Hammerstein, w.
John Diedrich, dir: James Hammerstein. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane.
Now and Forever, telemovie w. Cheryl Ladd. January.
Wylde's Domain, children's telefeature, played KGB agent,
dir Peter Maxwell. February.
Platypus Cove, children's telefeature, dir Peter Maxwell. September.
Cop Shop, guest role, December.
1983: Mother and Son series I. ABC TV comedy
series by Geoffrey Atherden, w. Ruth Cracknell, Garry McDonald,
Judy Morris; produced by Geoff Portman & John O'Grady.
A Country Practice, guest role, singing Italian, Ralph Bianco. May.
The Girl From Moonooloo, musical TV feature,
w. David Atkins & Jackie Weaver, dir. Richard Wherrett. July.
Kingswood Country, guest role. September.
Carson's Law, guest role. October.
Warming Up, feature film for JNP. First 'romantic' lead,
w. Barbara Stephens, dir: Bruce Best. November.
1984: Stage Struck by Simon Gray, Marian St. Theatre, w. John Krummel,
Two, by Ron Elisha, Marian Street Theatre,
w Lynnette Curren, dir John Krummel. April.
City West, 13 part drama series for SBS, w. Grigor Taylor, Rebecca Gilling,
Gosia Dobrowolska, Lex Marinos. Henri played Latvian Dr. Mikus Kuskis;
The Prisoner of Second Avenue, return season, Ensemble Theatre,
dir. Hayes Gordon.
Mother and Son series II. September;
Palace of Dreams, ABC TV, 10 part drama series,
w. Deidre Rubinstein, prod: Sandra Levy. Henri playing the father
won Penguin Award for actor in a mini-series, 1984; September - March 1985.
1985:Possession guest role, April.
Mother and Son series III;
Arturo.Ui by Bertolt Brecht, Seymour Theatre,
w. John Bell, dir: Richard Wherrett. June - September.
1986: Prime Time, guest Star Radio Announcer, March.
Vietnam, TV drama series, Kennedy Miller. Played Prime Minister Harold Holt
w. Barry Otto, Nicole Kidman, dir: John Duigan; April.
Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet, Sydney Opera House, played Levine,
best actor nomination, Critics' Circle, w. Frank Gallacher, Garry McDonald,
dir: Neil Armfield; April - May.
Travelling North, feature film by David Williamson,
w. Leo McKern, Graham Kennedy, Julia Blake, dir: Carl Schultz; July.
Les Patterson Saves the World, feature film w. Barry Humphries &
Pamela Stevenson; Henri played Dr Charles Herpes and his twin sister
Desiree. September - October.
Edge of Darkness feature film for video, w. Ivor Kantz,
dir. Henri Saffran. Nov - Dec.
1987: Mother & Son, series IV.
Shepherd on the Rocks by Patrick White, w. Geoffrey Rush,
Wendy Harmer, Catherine McClements, dir: Neil Armfield,
(Mr White attended first week's rehearsals), SATC, Adelaide.
WENT TO ENGLAND FOR 6 MONTHS.
1988: Plaza Suite, w. Janet Brown, Theatre at the
Hyatt, Sydney.
Rough Crossing by Ferenc Molnar, w. Dennis Olsen,
dir: John Gadin, Adelaide & Sydney Opera House.
Hannay, Thames Television, London. Nov - Dec.
1989: Speed the Plow by David Mamet, w. George Whaley, dir: Ian Watson,
SATC, Adelaide.
Just Between Ourselves by Alan Ayckbourn, Ensemble Theatre,
w. Carol Willesee, dir: Sandra Bates.
1990: The Double Bass by Patrick Süskind,
co-translated by Henri & Timothy Daly, dir: Sandra Bates. Henri's first one-man show,
produced by Ensemble Theatre, also played Victorian Arts Centre Melbourne,
Perth Playhouse & South Australian tour;
Mission Impossible, guest role, filmed in Melbourne.
1991: The Double Bass tour: Gosford, Perth, Hobart, Woollongong,
Ensemble return season, Echuca, Albury.
Seeing Red feature film, April.
G.P. guest role, ABC TV. July.
Skippy guest role, September.
Mother & Son, series V. October - December.
1992: Same Time Next Year prod: Kerry Jewel, w. Rowena Wallace,
Sydney, Perth.
Sky, written for Henri by John Misto,
Ensemble Theatre, dir: Denny Lawrennce. Henri's second one-man show,
also seen in Melbourne, Perth and regional centres; July - April 93.
1993: Mother & Son, series VI;
More Double Bass & Sky. Played both plays on alternate weeks
at Glen Street Theatre for 4 weeks. April.
1994: Three Hotels by Jon Robin Baitz, Ensemble Theatre,
w. Diane Craig, dir: Sandra Bates.
The Man From Snowy River guest role, Melbourne.
1995: Dead White Males, by David Williamson, world première,
w. Michelle Doake, Simon Chilvers, dir: Wayne Harrison, Sydney Theatre Company,
played Sydney & Melbourne;
Henri wrote first draft of I'm Not a Dentist, autobiographical one-man show, while on
tour in Melbourne.
1996: Heretic, by David Williamson, world première, Sydney Theatre Company,
played Ric Cooper, dir: Wayne Harrison. National tour.
1997: I'm Not a Dentist by Henri Szeps, world première, Ensemble Theatre,
earned Henri the Norman Kessel Award, Outstanding Performance, 1997,
prod: Lawrence Jackson.
After Play, Marian Street Theatre, Sydney.
1998: I'm Not a Dentist, Regional tour, 70 towns in 14 weeks
across five states;
The Sunshine Boys by Neil Simon, w. Max Cullen, Danny Mitchell.
Henri played Willie Clark, dir: Sandra Bates, Ensemble Theatre.
All Saints, Channel 7, guest role. November.
1999: All Saints, Channel 7, return guest role. January.
I'm Not a Dentist, Victorian Arts Centre, Perth Playhouse,
prod: Lawrence Jackson. June.
The Hobbit theatre puppet spectacular, played Gandalf - the only
human and the narrator. Producer Malcolm Cooke,
dir. Christine Anketell. 6 month national tour. November.
2000:The Hobbit end of tour - April.
Stingers, guest role, Channel 9. May.
2001: The Price, by Arthur Miller, played Walter Franz, w. Warren Mitchell, 
          Danny Mitchell, Toni Scanlan, dir: Sandra Bates, Ensemble Theatre.
2002: After the Ball, by David Williamson, played Ron MacCrae, w. Kate Raison, 
          Andrew McFarlane, Garry McDonald, Dianne Craig, Amos Szeps, 
          dir: Sandra Bates, Ensemble Theatre.
2002: CABARET, by Masteroff & Kander, w. Tina Arena (Lisa McCune, Rachael Beck), 
          Toby Allen (Todd McKenny), Judi Connelli, Nadine Garner, Tyler Coppin. Henri's performance 
          of Herr Schultz earned him the Helpmann Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical - 2003.
          Dir: BT McNicholl, based on the Sam Mendes production. 
2003: WHY KIDS?, one-man show, written and performed by Henri Szeps. 
          Lighting: Sydney Bouhaniche, music Michael Bartolomei, masks by Michael Lewis. 
          Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. 
2004: 12 Angry Men, by Reginald Rose, dir: Guy Masterson. Prod: APA & Adrian Bohm. 
          With Aaron Blabey, Shane Bourne, Marcus Graham, Alex Menglet, Peter Phelps, 
          Richard Piper. Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne. 2004. 
2005: Operator, by David Williamson, dir: Sandra Bates, Ensemble Theatre. 
          President Wilson in Paris, by Ron Blair, dir: Jennifer Hagan. With Deborah Kennedy 
          & Henry Nixon. HIT Productions. National tour.
2006: Charitable Intent, by David Williamson, dir: Sandra Bates. With Denise Roberts 
          and Kate Raison. Ensemble Theatre. 
          WHY KIDS? National Tour. Associate Prod: Gary Penny, 
          Technical/tour manager: Matthew Marshall. With assistance of Arts on Tour and Touring Australia.
 
That's all, folks!

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