Patsy King

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Patsy King (born 16 September 1927)^[1][3] is an Australian retired actress of theatre and television, children's television presenter, theatre director, playwright and commercial voice over.

King was brought up in the United Kingdom and usually played roles younger than her age as juvenile leads in theatre and television. She is probably best known internationally for her role in TV series Prisoner as well coiffured Governor/Warden Erica Davidson, the role of which was originally considered for British Australia actress Googie Withers, who played the Governor in the British TV version Within These Walls^[4]

King's television career spanned over 20 years from 1961 until 1984, stage career spanned some almost 40 years, starting from 1951 until 1990.^[4]

Biography[]

Early life[]

King was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in 16 September 1927,^[1] she initially wanted to become a dress designer^[1] and spent her early years in the United Kingdom.^[5] She trained as a Shakespearean actress with the National Theatre.

Television[]

After appearing in a few made for TV movies in the early-1960s she subsequently started in television serials from the late-1960s, including a prominent role in rural series Bellbird, guest roles in the Crawford Production series Hunter, The Box, and in their police procedurals Matlock Police, Division 4 and playing 14 different character parts in Homicide. She also acted in Power Without Glory, The Sullivans, Chopper Squad, Bluey, Cop Shop, and Good Morning, Mr. Doubleday.

She was also a hostess of children's television programs Play School and Adventure Island. She portrayed Erica Davidson, the governor of the fictional Wentworth Detention Centre, on the cult soap opera Prisoner, as well as appearing in a spin-off stage play. In 1979 King was an original member of the cast. She left in 1983, but returned for guest reappearances in 1984, after which she retired from television.^[6]

Theatre[]

King started her career in theatre has appeared in numerous stage roles including both modern period pieces since the early 1950s. Her theatre stage credits include Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, Blithe Spirit, Absurd Person Singular, A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur, Half a Sixpence and Love for Love. She earned the Erik Award for her portrayal of Agnes in Fourposter, and has also received the Melbourne critics' award. King was a regular theatre performer until 1984, and turned her hand to directing in 1989 and 1990, before retiring that year (although she briefly returned to the theatre in 2009 for a charity production in the stage play, Love Letters)^[7]

Selected roles[]

Theatre[]

Source = AusStage

Filmography[]

References[]

External links[]

• Patsy King at IMDb