Paul Capsis (born 1964) is an Australian actor, singer and playwright who mainly works in cabaret and musical theatre. He has also released four albums, Paul Capsis Live (2004), Boulevard Delirium, Everybody Wants to Touch Me (2008) and Make Me a King (2010). His film work includes roles in Head On (1998) and The Boy Castaways (2013). Capsis appeared in the telemovie Carlotta (2014). At the Helpmann Awards he has won five accolades: Best Live Music Presentation for Capsis vs Capsis (2002), Best Performance in an Australian Contemporary Concert for Boulevard Delirium (2006), Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play for Diana in The Lost Echo (2007), Best Male Actor in a Play and Best New Australian Work for Angela's Kitchen (2012).
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Biography
Paul Capsis was born in 1963 or 1964 as the second child of father Chris (Greek heritage) and mother Mary (Maltese). During childhood his parents were divorced and Capsis was partly raised in Surry Hills by his maternal grandmother Angela in a "conservative, religious environment".
In the Belvoir Street Theatre adaptation of the Indonesian-based The Cockroach Opera (1992) Capsis took the role of Kumis, a street gang leader. Helen Musa of The Canberra Times praised Capsis' singing as "especially notable". In his solo show, Burning Sequins, at Budinski's, Carlton in 1995 he variously impersonated Shirley Bassey, Bette Midler, Madonna, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand and Janis Joplin. Capsis appeared in an Australian production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle, written by Bertolt Brecht, which was performed at the Belvoir in September 1998. His role was described by The Australian Jewish News' Peter Morrison as "an androgynous, dual-voiced Arkadi".
Capsis' film work includes roles in Head On (1998) opposite Alex Dimitriades, where he took the supporting role of Johnny/Toula. Angela's Kitchen is an autobiographical one-man play with Capsis portraying multiple roles from his childhood. It was first performed at Stables Theatre, Darlinghurst in November 2010. During 2012 Angela's Kitchen had four runs: Beckett Theatre, Melbourne (May–June, September), Lennox Theatre, Parramatta (August) and Visy Theatre, New Farm, Queensland. Rebecca Harkins-Cross of The Sydney Morning Herald reviewed the Beckett Theatre performance, "Like memory itself, there is no overarching narrative here but short vignettes that move across time and continents. The familial story speaks to a wider history of Australia as a migrant nation." At the 12th Helpmann Awards in 2012 he won both Best Male Actor in a Play and Best New Australian Work. He appeared in Michael Kantor's film The Boy Castaways (2013), starring Megan Washington and Tim Rogers. He provided a supporting role as Stefan in the 2014 telemovie Carlotta, screened on ABC TV.
Discography
Paul Capsis Live at Angel Place City Recital Hall (2004) – Black Yak Records (BYOA-33)
Everybody Wants to Touch Me (2008) – Black Yak Records (BYOA-36)
Make Me a King (2010) – ABC Records (2744643
Theatre roles
Credits:
Awards and nominations
1998 AFI Best Actor in a Supporting Role nomination for Head On
1998 Film Critics Circle Awards – Best Supporting Actor for feature film Head On
2002 Helpmann Award for Best Live Music Presentation for Capsis vs Capsis'
2004 Green Room Award – Best Cabaret Artiste
2006 Green Room Award – Best Cabaret Artiste for Boulevard Delirium
2006 Helpmann Award for Best Performance in an Australian Contemporary Concert for Boulevard Delirium
2007 Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play for The Lost Echo
2012 Helpmann Award for Best New Australian Work for Angela's Kitchen (with Julian Meyrick and Hilary Bell)
2012 Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Play for Angela's Kitchen
2013 ACON - Media, Arts and Entertainment Honour Award
