Darren Gilshenan

Darren Gilshenan is an Australian actor and writer. He is best known for his in television series The Moodys, Maximum Choppage, Chandon Pictures and Full Frontal.[1]

Darren Gilshenan
NationalityAustralian
Alma materNational Institute of Dramatic Art
Occupation(s)Actor and writer
Known forFull Frontal; The Moodys

Early life

Growing up in Brisbane, Darren was first introduced to acting through performing in a Gang Show while a Boy Scout. He realised then that acting was his passion, "I just knew, I knew that's all I wanted to do. The hardest thing was trying to convince my father that my schooling TER mark didn't matter because I wanted to be an actor."[1]

Career

Gilshenan graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)[2] in 1988. He has also taught extensively at Australian Theatre for Young People, Bell Shakespeare and National Institute of Dramatic Art.[3]

Gilshenan's early acting career includes guest roles in A Country Practice in 1992[4] and Police Rescue in 1993. He became a series regular (and writer) on the sketch comedy series Full Frontal in 1997.[5] The show became Totally Full Frontal, where he remained as writer and actor in 1998 and 1999.

In 2002, he had a role in Dossa and Joe.[6] He then had a major role in both seasons of Chandon Pictures, which aired from 2007 until 2009.[7] In 2010 he guest directed Accidental Death of an Anarchist.[8] In 2013, he starred in The Elegant Gentleman's Guide to Knife Fighting.[9] In 2014, he starred in the comedy The Moodys[10] and drama Rake.[5] In 2016, he appeared on the sitcom Here Come the Habibs.[11]

In 2023 Gilshenan was announced as part of the cast for Stan Australia series Thou Shalt Not Steal [12] he was also starred in Stan series Population 11.[13]

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
2024AudreyPhysio
2023ChristmessNickFeature film
2015Women He's UndressedOrry-KellyDocumentary
2014Blood Pulls a GunAngry Motel GuestShort film
2013BamboozledBamboozled Host
BoardersSheppo
2012Save Your Legs!Colin
1998GristlePeterShort film
Dark CityFingerprint Cop
1996Idiot BoxC.E.S. Man
1995SwingerJohnShort film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
TBAThou Shalt Not StealTBA
2024Population 11Hugo Drivas6 episodes
2023Plausible DeniabilityArchbishop Muntz2 episodes
2023The Appleton Ladies' Potato RaceBilly PopeTV movie
2022-24Colin from AccountsProfessor Lee4 episodes
2018-21HarrowLyle Ridgewell Livingston Fairley30 episodes
2020StatelessBrian Ashworth6 episodes
2016Here Come the Habibs!Jack O'Neill6 episodes
2015–18No ActivityDet. StokesMain cast
Writer
2015Maximum ChoppageMayor Crawford6 episodes
2014WonderlandLyle Newell2 episodes
Devil's PlaygroundFather LenkenMini-series; 2 episodes
Old SchoolJohn StoyanovEpisode: "Easy Money"
The Killing FieldBrian FleetTV movie
Janet KingAlex Moreno4 episodes
RakeAdvisor Selwyn6 episodes
The MoodysTerry MoodyTV mini-series; 8 episodes
2013The Outlaw Michael HoweLieutenant Governor Tom DaveyTV movie
The Elegant Gentleman's Guide to Knife FightingVarious Characters6 episodes
Top of the LakeBob Platt2 episodes
2012A Moody ChristmasTerry Moody6 episodes
2007-2009Chandon PicturesNick Brenner16 episodes
2002Dossa and JoeWayne6 episodes
1998-1999Totally Full FrontalVarious Characters28 episodes
1997Full FrontalVarious Characters20 episodes
1993Police RescueNickEpisode: "Wild Goose Chase"
1992A Country PracticeMalcolm FairfaxEpisode: "Travelling South: Part 1"

Theatre

As actor

YearTitleRoleNotes
1984InsomniaSGIO Theatre, Brisbane
1987The Man Who Came to DinnerNIDA Theatre
1988Veneer 1NIDA Theatre
1989-1990Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry FinnTom SawyerHer Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, Lyric Theatre, Brisbane, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Festival Theatre, Adelaide
1990Moby DickCaptain PelegSuncorp Theatre, Brisbane with Queensland Theatre Comoany, Marian Street Theatre
1990Beach Blanket TempestFrankie / Ian HarpyQ Theatre, Penrith
Wild Garden Tales (seif-devised)PerformerStables Theatre, Sydney - Young at Art
1991Hansel and GretelBelvoir Street Theatre
1992Wet and DryStables Theatre, Sydney
199211 PM SharpStables Theatre, Sydney
1992The Adventures of Snugglepot and CuddlepieStables Theatre, Sydney
1992Wild Garden TalesStables Theatre, Sydney
Ginger MeggsGinger MeggsVictorian Arts Centre
1993Daylight SavingJason StruttQ Theatre, Penrith
1993Three Stories High / 1000 Nights (self-devised)Stables Theatre, Sydney - Young at Art
1994The Taming of The ShrewGrumioNewcastle Civic Theatre, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, University of Sydney, Canberra Theatre, Regal Theatre, Perth, Theatre Royal, Hobart, Princess Theatre, Launceston with Bell Shakespeare
1994MacbethA Weird Sister / Seyton / Third AssassinNewcastle Civic Theatre, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, University of Sydney, Canberra Theatre, Regal Theatre, Perth, Theatre Royal, Hobart, Princess Theatre, Launceston with Bell Shakespeare
1995Twelfth NightFesteUniversity of Sydney, Monash University, Melbourne Athenaeum, Canberra Theatre, Playhouse Adelaide with Bell Shakespeare
1995PericlesFisherman / KnightUniversity of Sydney, Monash University, Melbourne Athenaeum, Canberra Theatre, Playhouse Adelaide with Bell Shakespeare
1995Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are DeadPlayerBelvoir Street Theatre
1996Much Ado About NothingDogberryMelbourne Athenaeum, Sydney Opera House, Canberra Theatre with Bell Shakespeare
1996The PlayersEnsembleStables Theatre with Pork Chop Productions
1996CoriolanusEnsembleMelbourne Athenaeum, Sydney Opera House with Bell Shakespeare
The Popular MechanicalsSnugRiverina Theatre Company
1997TitanicCambridge Park Inn, Sydney
1998Henry IVHotspur / Pistol - Soldier 1Sydney Opera House, Canberra Theatre, Malthouse Theatre, Theatre Royal, Hobart, Monash University, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth with Bell Shakespeare
1999Alive at Williamstown PierButter Factory Theatre, Wodonga, Stables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company
The Venetian TwinsThe TwinsTilbury Productions for Olympic Arts Festival
1999Henry VPistolMelbourne Athenaeum, Playhouse Canberra, Sydney Opera House with Bell Shakespeare
2001The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)Various charactersSydney Opera House
2001Julius CaesarLepidus / TreboniusSydney Opera House, Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Orange Civic Theatre, Playhouse, Melbourne, Playhouse Canberra, Theatre Royal, Hobart, Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Newcastle Civic Theatre, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth with Bell Shakespeare
2001Antony and CleopatraClown / Eros / LepidusSydney Opera House, IMB Theatre, Wollongong, Playhouse Melbourne, Playhouse Canberra, Riverside Theatres Parramatta with Bell Shakespeare
2002Richard IIIRivers / StanleySydney Opera House, Playhouse Canberra, Playhouse, Melbourne, New South Wales with Bell Shakespeare / Queensland Theatre Company
2002The Comedy of ErrorsDromio of SyracusePlayhouse Canberra, Ford Theatre, Geelong, Playhouse Melbourne, Sydney Opera House, Riverside Theatres Parramatta, Orange Civic Theatre, IMB Theatre, Wollongong with Bell Shakespeare
Last Cab to DarwinVarious charactersPork Chop Productions
2003The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)Sydney Opera House
2003-04The Servant of Two MastersTruffaldinoAustralian national tour with Bell Shakespeare
2004The Comedy of ErrorsDromio of SyracuseTheatre Royal, Hobart with Bell Shakespeare
2005Harry the SixthSydney Opera House with Bell Shakespeare
2005Edward IVSydney Opera House with Bell Shakespeare
2005Wars of the RosesDauphin / Saunder Simcox / Richard, Duke of GloucesterSydney Opera House, Playhouse Canberra, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth, Playhouse, Melbourne with Bell Shakespeare
2005Measure for MeasurePompey, a pimpPlayhouse Melbourne, Playhouse, Brisbane, Newcastle Civic Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Playhouse, Canberra, Orange Civic Theatre with Bell Shakespeare
2005The Servant of Two MastersTruffaldinoSydney Theatre
2006The Comedy of ErrorsDromio of SyracuseGrand Theatre, Blackpool, Theatre Royal, Bath with Bell Shakespeare
2006UrinetownMr McQueenSydney Theatre with Melbourne Theatre Company / Sydney Theatre Company
2007 The Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie and Little Ragged BlossomCuddlepieTheatre Royal, Sydney, Regal Theatre, Perth, Dunstan Playhouse Adelaide with Company B Belvoir
2007The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)Cremorne Theatre, Brisbane
2007Not Like BeckettBeckettStar Court Theatre, Lismore
2007The Government InspectorVarious roles (including Klestakov)Playhouse Canberra. Playhouse, Melbourne, Playhouse, Brisbane, Sydney Opera House with Bell Shakespeare
2009EllingEllingWharf 1 Theatre with Sydney Theatre Company
2008Strange AttractorColinStables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company
2009Tot MomVarious charactersWharf Theatre with Sydney Theatre Company
2010The Beauty Queen of LeenanePato DooleyWharf 2 Theatre with Sydney Theatre Company
2010Tragedy WorkshopWilly LomanSydney Theatre Company
2010Our TownStage ManagerSydney Opera House
2011Don Parties OnRichardPlayhouse, Melbourne, Sydney Theatre with Melbourne Theatre Company
2011The White GuardAlexeiSydney Theatre with Sydney Theatre Company
2011LootInspector TruscottSydney Opera House with Sydney Theatre Company
2011Fool's IslandFool (Gooden / Badden)Bondi Pavilion with Tamarama Rock Surfers / Sydney Theatre Company
2012EllingEllingSouthbank Theatre
The Beast (workshop)Various charactersMelbourne Theatre Company
The Waiting Room (workshop)RafSydney Theatre Company
The Mayor's Nest (workshop)Various charactersRiverside Theatre
Helicopter (script reading)HEGriffin Theatre Company
2014Absent FriendsColinEnsemble Theatre
2014–15Mother and SonArthurComedy Theatre, Melbourne, Playhouse, Brisbane
The Man's Bitch (reading)Frederick Wilson / Edward White / Radio HostSydney Theatre Company
2015Strictly Ballroom the MusicalDoug Hastings / MervHer Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Lyric Theatre, Brisbane
2014–2015Monkey: Journey to the WestPiggsy / Heavenly Staffer / MonkBrisbane Powerhouse, Riverside Theatres Parramatta, Sydney Opera House, Canberra Theatre Centre, Dame Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Geelong Arts Centre
2016Machu PicchuPaulWharf Theatre Sydney, Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide with Sydney Theatre Company
2016TartuffeTartuffeHeath Ledger Theatre, Perth, Playhouse, Brisbane with Queensland Theatre Company / Black Swan Theatre Company
2017Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?GeorgeEnsemble Theatre
Once in a Blue Moon (workshop)Various charactersCDP Productions
2018The HypochondriacArganDarlinghurst Theatre Company
2022The CaretakerDaviesEnsemble Theatre

As writer / director

YearTitleRoleNotes
1996The PlayersWriterStables Theatre with Pork Chop Productions
Recital for JapanDirectorBell Shakespeare
2003HamletMovement DirectorBell Shakespeare
Last Cab to DarwinAssistant DirectorPork Chop Productions
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)DirectorSpirit Entertainment
2004The Comedy of ErrorsMovement DirectorTheatre Royal, Hobart with Bell Shakespeare
A Midsummer Nights DreamCo-DirectorNIDA Theatre
The Servant of Two MastersDirectorNIDA Third Year Actors
The Popular MechanicalsDirectorNIDA Third Year Actors
2010Accidental Death of an AnarchistDirectorNIDA Summer School
The JinglistDirectorThe Edinburgh Festival
LootDirectorNIDA Third Year Actors
The Chaos FairyDirectorMonkey Baa
The Birthday BoysDirectorNIDA Independent
2016Poetry at PlayDirectorPoetry in Action
2016The Paper TigerDirectorPoetry in Action
2016The Poet's QuestDirectorPoetry in Action
Parting the Red CurtainDirectorNeil Gooding Productions
2020The Government InspectorDirectorNIDA Parade 2 Studio

[14] [15]

References