Artworks

The Chariot Race in Ben Hur -- if you've seen it you won't have forgotten it -- or the actor who played Pontius Pilate, Frank Thring. He was that larger-than-life fruity Australian actor who always wore black clothes, gold bling, and a sardonic expression.

He was famous for playing the villain in Hollywood epics of the 1950s and 60s but he also had an illustrious career in the theatre in Australia and in England, where he performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company with Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh.

Later, back in Australia he played a baddie in the TV show Skippy and in one of the Mad Max movies. He also made outrageous appearances on midday TV shows.

You'd have to say he played the villain in life as well. He was loved as a colourful character, especially in his home town of Melbourne, and yet he died a sad and lonely death at just 68, in 1994.

The Real Thring, a one-man show about Frank Thring's last days, is on until September 27 at the 3RRR Performance Space in Brunswick, Melbourne. It's being done by Hoy Polloy Theatre, is written by the 'public rememberer' Barry Dickens, and is performed by Michael Cahill.

Julie Copeland speaks to Barry Dickens.

Further Information

Bookings
hoypolloy@bigpond.com

Story Researcher and Producer

Julie Copeland

Radio National often provides links to external websites to complement program information. While producers have taken care with all selections, we can neither endorse nor take final responsibility for the content of those sites.