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Beyond Togetherness - A Life
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"That Barry Creyton's contributions to Australian television and theatre are legendary is not opinion. It is fact. And his exploits across many decades and several continents are fascinating. In Beyond Togetherness: A Life, he shares many memorable exploits, but he also defines an entire era, relishing the structure and history of everything in the entertainment world that came before him, while innovating and becoming a central part of bringing about great change--certainly to Australian television--but also to international stages. Best of all, Creyton's boundless curiosity about what might be around the corner is expansive and modern--he seizes life by the balls and we get to ride on the back of his motorcycle, thrilled to be part of his adventures."
-- Samuel Garza Bernstein, bestselling author, screenwriter, and playwright.
-- Samuel Garza Bernstein, bestselling author, screenwriter, and playwright.
BARRY CREYTON
Barry Creyton is a master of laughs and a bonafide showbiz legend whose life reads like a comedy with a world-tour itinerary. Born in Brisbane in 1939, he leapt into theatre and radio as a teenager and never looked back — soon hosting his own national radio show and landing lead roles on stage and screen.
Barry became a household name in Australia as one of the stars and writers of The Mavis Bramston Show, a ground-breaking satire that became one of TV’s biggest hits — and with a theme song of his own making (see below)! From there he fronted his own TV series, wrote weekly columns, produced comedy albums and even penned musicals that ran for years.
Not content with one continent, Barry moved to London he appeared in major West End productions including Don’s Party at the Royal Court and Rogers’ Lost Stand at the Duke of York’s, alongside national tours and television work. Returning to Australia, he became widely known for starring roles in celebrated comedies such as Noises Off, Bedroom Farce, Season’s Greetings and Absurd Person Singular. In the United States, his off-Broadway revue Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know enjoyed a long-running season, further cementing his international reputation.
He’s written smash-hit stage comedies like Double Act — written with humour and heart — which has been translated into more than twenty languages and delighted audiences worldwide.
Along the way he’s picked up awards, penned novels, adapted classics for theatre and audio, and kept audiences laughing for decades. And now, in Beyond Togetherness – A LIFE, Barry finally tells his own story — full of wit, warmth and the kind of off-the-cuff jokes that only he can deliver.
Barry Creyton is a master of laughs and a bonafide showbiz legend whose life reads like a comedy with a world-tour itinerary. Born in Brisbane in 1939, he leapt into theatre and radio as a teenager and never looked back — soon hosting his own national radio show and landing lead roles on stage and screen.
Barry became a household name in Australia as one of the stars and writers of The Mavis Bramston Show, a ground-breaking satire that became one of TV’s biggest hits — and with a theme song of his own making (see below)! From there he fronted his own TV series, wrote weekly columns, produced comedy albums and even penned musicals that ran for years.
Not content with one continent, Barry moved to London he appeared in major West End productions including Don’s Party at the Royal Court and Rogers’ Lost Stand at the Duke of York’s, alongside national tours and television work. Returning to Australia, he became widely known for starring roles in celebrated comedies such as Noises Off, Bedroom Farce, Season’s Greetings and Absurd Person Singular. In the United States, his off-Broadway revue Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know enjoyed a long-running season, further cementing his international reputation.
He’s written smash-hit stage comedies like Double Act — written with humour and heart — which has been translated into more than twenty languages and delighted audiences worldwide.
Along the way he’s picked up awards, penned novels, adapted classics for theatre and audio, and kept audiences laughing for decades. And now, in Beyond Togetherness – A LIFE, Barry finally tells his own story — full of wit, warmth and the kind of off-the-cuff jokes that only he can deliver.
The Mavis Bramston Show (1964). The original Bramston team, Gordon Chater, Carol Raye, Barry Creyton, June Salter.
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Barry on the cover of TV Times.
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The Mavis Bramston Show, 'Togetherness'. I composed the music for the number which opened the show every week.
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Corpse (1986). Barry played twins!
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Double Act (1987)
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Barry's Kawasaki 1100. While directing the musical Nunsense (1986) with cast member Maggie King.
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Later Than Spring (2000). Barry Creyton with Donald MacDonald and Katy Manning.
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Duets (2009). Barry Creyton and Noeline Brown.
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Praise for Beyond Togetherness - A Life
“My first recognition of Barry Creyton was as the urbane and dashing panellist on Blankety Blanks. Wit and charm spilled from his being. It’s apparent from this memoir that this has been his default setting all through his life. I’ve been waiting since Blankety Blanks for Barry to complete this memoir - he’s written everything else - screenplays, radio plays, theatrical triumphs, novels, recipes … and at last … the memoir! This is an essential record that contributes much to the preservation of our artistic heritage, from one of our greats.”
Peter Ayers
Producer/writer
“I have known Barry Creyton for sixty years and could therefore be seen as biased. I am not. I approached Beyond Togetherness as an ardent fan of memoirs, particularly those set in the world of entertainment, but also as a harsh critic of those that do not please me, such as the dull and laboured, the deceitful, the self-serving, or the just plain boring.
Beyond Togetherness has none of these failings. It ranks up there with the best of them. In fact, in terms of eloquence, elegance and wit in detailing Creyton’s multi-faceted career and his admittedly rocky personal life, it surpasses many biographies that I have read.
As a lyricist, I learned to make every word count when writing a song for Barry Creyton, because the audience will actually hear every single one of those words. And now, in Beyond Togetherness he has demonstrated once again that in frankly telling the story of his life, his talent for impeccable delivery is not just vocal but as a storyteller in putting words on paper.”
David Sale
Producer/writer
“Barry Creyton steps us through his wonderful life with his customary eloquence and brutal honesty - sparing no detail, taking no prisoners. This is a book about a lifetime spent doing what you love, but what shines through most is that he was born to do this - and born to tell us about it.”
Simon Burke AO
“Barry was born with one wry eyebrow already raised at the world; a sophisticate from the outset. Today, a celebrated playwright, actor, novelist, and director - his perceptive, dry wit has never left him. It permeates this revealing autobiography, along with a dash of theatrical wisdom and more names dropped than you'd find on the electoral roll.
Barry was an integral part of the Philip St revues and television's Mavis Bramston Show. Without them, Sydney's long-running Wharf Revue could not have existed. I am proud to be part of that comedy lineage, and blessed to call Barry and Vaughan my dear friends.”
Phil Scott
Actor, comedian, composer, pianist
“What a life – the Sydney years which I remember well with the Mike Walsh Show sketches, your bike accident and of course Nunsense- what a good time we had with those nuns especially in Dublin. And your crowning glory Double Act - an international hit! ”
Sue Farelly
Producer