INk (2024)
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Nick Curnow’s performance as Larry Lamb is the head and shoulders, the heart and mind, of Louise Fischer’s production. Passed over for years by his former boss, Hugh Cudlipp, Larry’s loyalty lies leeched when Murdoch pumps fresh blood into his ambition and aspirations. Curnow gives an invigorating portrayal that is palpable, fostering a collegiate culture within the newspaper’s office and printing presses, thereby forging a fierce loyalty, a fealty sometimes tested by rusted on tradition. In Curnow’s hands we see the lion in the Lamb and we also see the conflict he grapples with, particularly his class roots and the collision of propriety and progress. Australian Stage
But the spotlight truly shines on Nick Curnow capturing the manic drive of Murdoch's editorial lieutenant Larry Lamb, assembling a ragtag team of journos eager to embrace the bold future of tabloid culture. That Show Blog "Nick Curnow plays Larry with sympathy and skill." Jason Blake for Limelight Magazine "But this is Nick Curnow’s show and he slips into Lamb’s skin so completely you forget you’re watching an actor in a role. A mix of empathy and charm, he turns frighteningly ferocious. You can watch Curnow’s Lamb lose his joy and his soul as the traumatic events of the second act overtake him. The moment of his final creation, the infamous topless Page Three girl, plays like a man eating his final meal before execution. It’s one of the best all-round performances I’ve seen so far this year." Cultural Binge "Larry Lamb, editor, persuader, motivator is played by Nick Curnow, who makes Lamb hassled and under pressure, but in control. He paces as he coaxes his staff to take up ideas; smiles winningly he placates their concerns; celebrates with them as they come up with yet another audacious story. He finds Lamb’s creative intellect, his understanding of the power of being different and brave – and the burn out that comes from constant pressure and strain." Carol Wimmer for Stage Whispers "Lamb is played wonderfully by Nick Curnow, in a performance that drives the production." Paul Gilchrist for Theatre Red "Nick Curnow does an excellent job portraying Larry as someone you empathise with immediately, while balancing this with a hint of the tabloid-esque sleaze he’d imbue into the Sun." Michael Di Guglielmo for Stage Door Podcast |
Nick Curnow as Larry Lamb in "Ink" directed by Louise Fischer. Photo by Chris Lundie 2024
"Congratulations to the New Theatre for this excellent production of INK. Don’t miss it. " Sydney Arts Guide review "This Louise Fischer-directed production doesn’t proselytise – but watching this powerful play about the rise of The Sun, audience members will come to their own robust conclusions about the “Murdochrasy”, arguably the most powerful force in the history of the mass media. " Arts Hub review |
"Ink" directed by Louise Fischer. Mariah Stock, William Baltyn, Parker Texilake, Jack Elliot Mitchell, Jane Wallace, Chad Traupmann. Photo by Chris Lundie 2024
GRAIN IN THE BLOOD (2024)
Siobhan Lawless & Nick Curnow ; Photo by Clare Hawley 2024
"Nick Curnow is outstanding as Burt, a man whose vulnerabilities become apparent when he’s drawn out from under the carapace of his job description." Jason Blake for Limelight Magazine
"Nick Curnow as Burt, an outsider to this clan, an official on business, movingly portrays the dislocation experienced when procedure offers no guide to the wilderness that is reality." Theatre Red
"Nick Curnow fills Burt with intensity and proffered help." Stage Whispers
"Curnow, too, deserves special mention for his lovable portrayal of Burt, a man with principles and demons of his own, who slips into the mess of this family’s grief and conflict in spite of himself,,." Theatre Travels
"Nick Curnow, as prison appointed chaperone, Burt, presents a burly gentle giant, dealing with past employment issues and celebrating his sobriety, sorely tested with the dramatic turn of events confronting him." Australian Stage
"Nick Curnow as Burt, an outsider to this clan, an official on business, movingly portrays the dislocation experienced when procedure offers no guide to the wilderness that is reality." Theatre Red
"Nick Curnow fills Burt with intensity and proffered help." Stage Whispers
"Curnow, too, deserves special mention for his lovable portrayal of Burt, a man with principles and demons of his own, who slips into the mess of this family’s grief and conflict in spite of himself,,." Theatre Travels
"Nick Curnow, as prison appointed chaperone, Burt, presents a burly gentle giant, dealing with past employment issues and celebrating his sobriety, sorely tested with the dramatic turn of events confronting him." Australian Stage
Jumpers for Goalposts (2023) -
World Pride / Sydney Mardi Gras, New Theatre
Nick Curnow & Emma Harris ; Photo by Bob Seary 2023
A standout of this play was seeing how Curnow (Joe) brought the audience along for his character's understated emotional journey. This arc slowly unravelled, trusting the audience enough to not be too forthright, permitting the nuance of his performance to carry the message across." Louisa Polson for Theatre Travels
"The performances are excellent across the board... Curnow is pitch-perfect as the stricken Joe..." Jason Blake for Limelight Magazine
"Her brother-in-law Joe is inhabited by Nick Curnow, who brings much needed emotional nuance, to a show that could easily be presented without any attempt at subtlety." Suzy Wrong for Suzy Goes See
"Nick Curnow resonates deeply..." Martin Portus for Stage Whispers
"Nick Curnow plays Joe - 'the only straight' in the team - and Curnow finds every huff, puff and twinge that Joe's out-of-conditioned body experiences each Sunday. Despite his pain, Joe is determined not to let Viv down - nor to let her be too hard on the rest of the team. He is gentle, supportive - and understanding - the sort of 'straight' that the world needs to see more often." Carol Wimmer
"The performances are excellent across the board... Curnow is pitch-perfect as the stricken Joe..." Jason Blake for Limelight Magazine
"Her brother-in-law Joe is inhabited by Nick Curnow, who brings much needed emotional nuance, to a show that could easily be presented without any attempt at subtlety." Suzy Wrong for Suzy Goes See
"Nick Curnow resonates deeply..." Martin Portus for Stage Whispers
"Nick Curnow plays Joe - 'the only straight' in the team - and Curnow finds every huff, puff and twinge that Joe's out-of-conditioned body experiences each Sunday. Despite his pain, Joe is determined not to let Viv down - nor to let her be too hard on the rest of the team. He is gentle, supportive - and understanding - the sort of 'straight' that the world needs to see more often." Carol Wimmer
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Photography by Bob Seary, 2023
My Night With Reg (2019)
Steve Corner, James Gordon, John-Paul Santucci, Nick Curnow; Photo by Bob Seary.
"Nick Curnow and Steve Cormer play the carping couple, Bernie and Benny, contrasting the rough with the smooth,
the settled and the unsettling." AustralianStage
Nick Curnow [as] Bernie, boil[s] with suspicions that are disastrously self-punishing. ... Brindley catches the eye with his detailed ownership of Eric, and gives a very satisfying performance, as does Mr Curnow as Bernie, in a much less featured role. Kevin Jackson for The Blurb
the settled and the unsettling." AustralianStage
Nick Curnow [as] Bernie, boil[s] with suspicions that are disastrously self-punishing. ... Brindley catches the eye with his detailed ownership of Eric, and gives a very satisfying performance, as does Mr Curnow as Bernie, in a much less featured role. Kevin Jackson for The Blurb
MARE OF EASTTOWN INTERVIEW - ABC ARTS
I was approached by ABC Arts to speak about the complex and difficult Philadelphia accent employed in the new HBO Max / Binge crime drama "Mare of Easttown" starring Kate Winslet.
As with my Schitt's Creek interview, prior to this approach I hadn't watched the show, but I had previously done a lot of work researching the incredibly interesting Philly dialect for Red Line Production's Orphans, so diving into the content was intense, inspiring, and enjoyable.
I was delighted to shed some light on the complex details which make this dialect - one of the most researched dialects of English but one of the least accurately represented dialects in media - so fascinating.
Read the article here.
As with my Schitt's Creek interview, prior to this approach I hadn't watched the show, but I had previously done a lot of work researching the incredibly interesting Philly dialect for Red Line Production's Orphans, so diving into the content was intense, inspiring, and enjoyable.
I was delighted to shed some light on the complex details which make this dialect - one of the most researched dialects of English but one of the least accurately represented dialects in media - so fascinating.
Read the article here.
SCHITT'S CREEK INTERVIEW - JUNKEE
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I was approached by the Inimitable Patrick Lenton at pop culture website Junkee about the curious uniqueness of Catherine O'Hara's character of Moira Rose on Schitt's Creek.
Prior to this approach I had never watched the show. I couldn't hold back, and unleashed my most technical and fascinating responses. Not all of them made it into the final article, but here we see how I as a director, balance the intensely technical with the deeply artistic. Voice is acting, acting is voice. All is artistry. This article was shared by the official Schitt's Creek Twitter account, and has been reference directly by Catherine O'Hara in several interviews. We Enlisted an Expert to Explain Moira Rose's Unrecognisable Accent on 'Schitt's Creek.' |
Fully Committed (2013 & 2014)
"...one of the most impressive feats of comic performance you are ever likely to see. Curnow is in full command of his challenge... [He] races around the desk answering loud, imposing, dominating phones as he physically transforms into each of the personas he embodies. Speed, wit and comic timing are in perfect balance in a performance that almost can’t be improved upon." Lisa Thatcher
"Nick Curnow is superb, creating thirty eight characters in fifty minutes... Curnow’s ability to delineate such an enormous cast of characters is awe inspiring. The laughs come thick and fast. His vocal work is nothing short of extraordinary... This is silver service satire." Theatre Red
"Curnow is simply fabulous in this piece: sympathetic as the harrowed Sam, neatly differentiating between the myriad of different characters." Theatre from the Back Seat
Interview on 2SER Radio's Stages with Regina Botros and Benito Di Fonzo (from 17:05)
"Fully Committed and Nick Curnow just keep getting better and better." Lisa Thatcher reviewing the second production in 2014.
"This is the acting equivalent of the high wire and it’s working without a net. Fortunately, there’s nary a falter form Curnow, who makes it a thrilling ride. Considering there are around 40 roles, it’s an astonishing achievement..." Lloyd Bradford Syke, Daily Review on Crikey.com
"Nick Curnow is superb, creating thirty eight characters in fifty minutes... Curnow’s ability to delineate such an enormous cast of characters is awe inspiring. The laughs come thick and fast. His vocal work is nothing short of extraordinary... This is silver service satire." Theatre Red
"Curnow is simply fabulous in this piece: sympathetic as the harrowed Sam, neatly differentiating between the myriad of different characters." Theatre from the Back Seat
Interview on 2SER Radio's Stages with Regina Botros and Benito Di Fonzo (from 17:05)
"Fully Committed and Nick Curnow just keep getting better and better." Lisa Thatcher reviewing the second production in 2014.
"This is the acting equivalent of the high wire and it’s working without a net. Fortunately, there’s nary a falter form Curnow, who makes it a thrilling ride. Considering there are around 40 roles, it’s an astonishing achievement..." Lloyd Bradford Syke, Daily Review on Crikey.com
Photography by Katy Green Loughrey
"Curnow’s vocal skills were terrific. We recognised each character immediately and his nuance and range was impressive...It's a performance marathon." SOYP
"The experience of watching this production feels as though at a magic show, where the audience is kept fascinated, amused and gobsmacked for the entire duration. The actor switches characters at lightning speed, and we marvel at his ability in portraying such an astounding range of people, as well as his extraordinary memory, which in the absence of other actors, is the only thing he can rely on." Suzy Wrong (Suzy Goes See)
"...the deft swapping between characters is not only convincing, but hilariously entertaining, without being over-the-top. Curnow meets the challenge of the script with both scope and finesse." Jasmine Crittenden (Weekend Notes)
"The experience of watching this production feels as though at a magic show, where the audience is kept fascinated, amused and gobsmacked for the entire duration. The actor switches characters at lightning speed, and we marvel at his ability in portraying such an astounding range of people, as well as his extraordinary memory, which in the absence of other actors, is the only thing he can rely on." Suzy Wrong (Suzy Goes See)
"...the deft swapping between characters is not only convincing, but hilariously entertaining, without being over-the-top. Curnow meets the challenge of the script with both scope and finesse." Jasmine Crittenden (Weekend Notes)
Wittenberg
Hilliar has pulled together quite a luminous ensemble of cast and creatives. Both David Woodland, as Faustus, and Nick Curnow, as Luther, not only tick the boxes for what at least used to be considered standard equipment for actors (diction and projection), but flesh out their characters such that they become both believable and relatable. We can begin to have sympathy for both, regardless of how much we agree or disagree with their views and arguments. Crikey.com's Daily Review by Lloyd Bradford Syke
"Nick Curnow finds a beautifully human side of the devoutly religious Martin Luther..." Show and Tell
"Nick Curnow is good as the untested, still pious Luther, whose constipation has as much to do with his rage over the Catholic Church’s selling of indulgences as his meat and beer diet." Sydney Morning Herald (Jason Blake)
"Nick Curnow is a commanding yet deeply perturbed Luther." Concrete Playground (Jasmine Crittenden)
"Nick Curnow finds a beautifully human side of the devoutly religious Martin Luther..." Show and Tell
"Nick Curnow is good as the untested, still pious Luther, whose constipation has as much to do with his rage over the Catholic Church’s selling of indulgences as his meat and beer diet." Sydney Morning Herald (Jason Blake)
"Nick Curnow is a commanding yet deeply perturbed Luther." Concrete Playground (Jasmine Crittenden)
Enron
with Tristan McKinnon and Paige Leacey
"The character of Andy Fastow is played very beguilingly by Nick Curnow. Fastow idolizes Skilling and Skilling uses him abominably – until he realises his value – as it is Fastow who conceives and initiates the fraud that will become the ruination of ENRON and trigger the GFC. Nick Curnow finds all the intricacies and emotional levels that [Prebble] has written into this character. He is embarrassing in his original naivety and his hero worship of Skilling, enthusiastically erudite as he explains how the fraudulent companies will work, then more and more bemused as he realises the problems he has created." StageWhispers
"Andy Fastow ... is depicted as a tragic lion tamer [who's] lost control of the circus." Lisa Thatcher
"...Curnow’s Andy Fastow [is] a classic case of the accountancy whiz triumphing over his bullies at the expense of any integrity he may have possessed. We see how desperately he wants to please and will find anyway to do it." Shit On Your Play
"A wonderful performance from Nick Curnow as Andy Fastow. " "Stages" on 2SER FM Radio
"Nick Curnow gives an engaging performance as the socially awkward originator of some of Enron’s most dubious accounting practices." Theatre Red
"The main players — Young, Curnow, Flett and Cassandra-Lee Heschl as Skilling’s adversary Claudia Roe — are terrific. Their interactions, timing and characterisations are spot on." OzBabyBoomers
REVIEW: Timeout Magazine
REVIEW: Sydney Arts Guide
"Andy Fastow ... is depicted as a tragic lion tamer [who's] lost control of the circus." Lisa Thatcher
"...Curnow’s Andy Fastow [is] a classic case of the accountancy whiz triumphing over his bullies at the expense of any integrity he may have possessed. We see how desperately he wants to please and will find anyway to do it." Shit On Your Play
"A wonderful performance from Nick Curnow as Andy Fastow. " "Stages" on 2SER FM Radio
"Nick Curnow gives an engaging performance as the socially awkward originator of some of Enron’s most dubious accounting practices." Theatre Red
"The main players — Young, Curnow, Flett and Cassandra-Lee Heschl as Skilling’s adversary Claudia Roe — are terrific. Their interactions, timing and characterisations are spot on." OzBabyBoomers
REVIEW: Timeout Magazine
REVIEW: Sydney Arts Guide
Take Me Out
Photography by Bob Seary
"...man of the match has to go to Nick Curnow, whose turn as Lemming’s gay business manager Mason Marzac shows off his superior skills with an accent and ability to really make the role his own." Wentworth Courier & Sydney Central Magazine
"Nick Curnow is heartbreakingly real as Darren's business manager..." SameSame.com.au
"Nick Curnow is heartbreakingly real as Darren's business manager..." SameSame.com.au
Emergence
"Emergence" at the Sydney Opera House
"Nick Curnow, who plays Ram, the creature being sculpted and bred, cunningly solicits sympathy all the while simmering with an underlying creepiness. Even when lying asleep in his cot. On each step along his development, Ram manages to hold onto both qualities with an unnerving charm. Fragility with a slight distance to his eyes carrying forth his tortured and potential soul." Soon Van on RandomEcho
"Nick Curnow brilliantly plays the lead as the prototype Ram. He breathes life into an essentially lifeless creation with his expressions and gestures - his presence and charm really pulled the audience in." SameSame.com.au
"Emergence is a fascinating show and delivers a genuine poignancy..." The Age, Melbourne
"Nick Curnow brilliantly plays the lead as the prototype Ram. He breathes life into an essentially lifeless creation with his expressions and gestures - his presence and charm really pulled the audience in." SameSame.com.au
"Emergence is a fascinating show and delivers a genuine poignancy..." The Age, Melbourne
VOICE & DIALECT REVIEWS
Dark Voyager (Ensemble Theatre)"Kudos also to vocal coach Nick Curnow for finding the nuances in voice and accent for each of our characters so we can embrace the imitation or likeness of each star and enter upon the fantasy and journey of the piece." SOYP
"The accents are spot on (props to dialect coach Nick Curnow)..." Veronica Hannon, GNN/SX News "Imitations of Monroe’s idiosyncratic voice and gestures are commonplace, but Mitchell’s depiction of her hidden and inherent sadness is unexpected and completely heartbreaking." Suzy Goes See "Nick Curnow is the dialect coach of Dark Voyager and he needs special mention as the accents are amazing, you seriously believe you are listening to the original Bette Davis and Marilyn Monroe." SameSame.com DISCO PIGS (THROWING SHADE THEATRE COMPANY) Courtney Pink in Disco Pigs.
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Jeanette Cronin, Lizzie Mitchell and Kate Raison in "Dark Voyager"
A view From The Bridge (Red Line) Ivan Donato and David Soncin. Photo by John Marmaras
"A nod to dialect coach Nick Curnow too. Everyone sounds right." - Sydney Morning Herald
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Members of the cast of "God's Ear." Photo by Bob Seary
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH (Ensemble Theatre)
"Dialect coach Nick Curnow must also be mentioned: the English voices are impeccable and unselfconscious." Stage Whispers Magazine
"Dialect coach Nick Curnow has done a deft job of distinguishing social strata by way of accents." Lloyd Bradford-Sykes, Daily Review
GOD'S EAR (Pursued by a Bear, Seymour Theatre)
"Nick Curnow as dialect coach has done an absolutely superb job - you almost believe the cast is American, which is a massive achievement." Review for God's Ear by Jenny Schwartz at the Reginald - Stage Whispers Magazine
THE PARTY (Stories from the 428 - Sidetrack Theatre)
"This is sensitive and sensational work, with a standout performance from the versatile Cheryl Ward, expertly dialect-coached by Nick Curnow." Review for Russian accents in The Party by Noelle Janaczewska as part of Stories from the 428 at the Sidetrack Theatre - Australian Stage Online
THE COMING WORLD (Darlinghurst Theatre)
"...The two WAAPA graduates [Ian Meadows and Cheree Cassidy] have completely nailed the Boston accents (and it’s a fun accent to listen to)..."
Emma Salkild, The Alternative Media Group of Australia
"Dialect coach Nick Curnow must also be mentioned: the English voices are impeccable and unselfconscious." Stage Whispers Magazine
"Dialect coach Nick Curnow has done a deft job of distinguishing social strata by way of accents." Lloyd Bradford-Sykes, Daily Review
GOD'S EAR (Pursued by a Bear, Seymour Theatre)
"Nick Curnow as dialect coach has done an absolutely superb job - you almost believe the cast is American, which is a massive achievement." Review for God's Ear by Jenny Schwartz at the Reginald - Stage Whispers Magazine
THE PARTY (Stories from the 428 - Sidetrack Theatre)
"This is sensitive and sensational work, with a standout performance from the versatile Cheryl Ward, expertly dialect-coached by Nick Curnow." Review for Russian accents in The Party by Noelle Janaczewska as part of Stories from the 428 at the Sidetrack Theatre - Australian Stage Online
THE COMING WORLD (Darlinghurst Theatre)
"...The two WAAPA graduates [Ian Meadows and Cheree Cassidy] have completely nailed the Boston accents (and it’s a fun accent to listen to)..."
Emma Salkild, The Alternative Media Group of Australia
The cast of "The Weir" - New Theatre 2012 - Photo by Matthias Engesser
THE WEIR (New Theatre)
"The whole cast speaks with a convincing accent; something which is either done well or best left alone. I wouldn’t be surprised if Patrick Connelly is a native of the area, so good was his effort." Joan Beal, ArtsHub
"Dialect coach Nick Curnow should be commended for the effort that’s gone into catching the Irish accent for the stage." Aussietheatre.com.au
"McPherson’s quirky, engaging characters are fleshed out with charm by this troupe, and maintain highly credible accents throughout. No mean feat, to be sure." OzBabyBoomers
"The whole cast speaks with a convincing accent; something which is either done well or best left alone. I wouldn’t be surprised if Patrick Connelly is a native of the area, so good was his effort." Joan Beal, ArtsHub
"Dialect coach Nick Curnow should be commended for the effort that’s gone into catching the Irish accent for the stage." Aussietheatre.com.au
"McPherson’s quirky, engaging characters are fleshed out with charm by this troupe, and maintain highly credible accents throughout. No mean feat, to be sure." OzBabyBoomers
Zoe Carides in "Murderers." Photo by Natalie Boog.
MURDERERS (Ensemble Theatre)
"From very specific accents (dialect coach Nick Curnow’s contributions seem to have proved invaluable) to physical manifestations, they’re not only plausible and credible, but thoroughly convincing." - Crikey.com
"Zoe Carides is brilliant as Minka and the accent is great." - SameSame.com.au
FOUR FLAT WHITES IN ITALY (Ensemble Theatre)
"If you like a good kiwi accent, then this is the play you have been waiting for!" - AussieTheatre.com
"Sound was perfect... in genuine New Zealand articulation." StageWhispers
"From very specific accents (dialect coach Nick Curnow’s contributions seem to have proved invaluable) to physical manifestations, they’re not only plausible and credible, but thoroughly convincing." - Crikey.com
"Zoe Carides is brilliant as Minka and the accent is great." - SameSame.com.au
FOUR FLAT WHITES IN ITALY (Ensemble Theatre)
"If you like a good kiwi accent, then this is the play you have been waiting for!" - AussieTheatre.com
"Sound was perfect... in genuine New Zealand articulation." StageWhispers
Andrew Henry & Julia Grace in "Reasons to be Pretty"
REASONS TO BE PRETTY (Darlinghurst Theatre)
"The production's creatives are excellent, voice and dialect coach Nick Curnow especially, as the American-ness of the play is essential to its authenticity." Stagenoise
"With input from accent coach Nick Curnow and fight director Scott Witt, it is efficiently staged and credibly acted." Jason Blake, Sydney Morning Herald
"The production's creatives are excellent, voice and dialect coach Nick Curnow especially, as the American-ness of the play is essential to its authenticity." Stagenoise
"With input from accent coach Nick Curnow and fight director Scott Witt, it is efficiently staged and credibly acted." Jason Blake, Sydney Morning Herald
Danny Adcock & Sharon Millerchip in "A Picasso"
A PICASSO (Ensemble Theatre)
"They owned their mannerisms and accents, so much so that you honestly questioned if there were a few more German soldiers guarding the theatre doors." Alternative Media Group of Australia
"Stage accents, his Spanish, hers German ... are modified for clear, effective delivery and consistency. StageWhispers
BEAUTIFUL THING (Burley Theatre)
"Nick Curnow has done a splendid job as dialect coach: none of the cast has any serious lapses in this (or any other) respect." Lloyd Bradford-Sykes, Curtain Call
"They owned their mannerisms and accents, so much so that you honestly questioned if there were a few more German soldiers guarding the theatre doors." Alternative Media Group of Australia
"Stage accents, his Spanish, hers German ... are modified for clear, effective delivery and consistency. StageWhispers
BEAUTIFUL THING (Burley Theatre)
"Nick Curnow has done a splendid job as dialect coach: none of the cast has any serious lapses in this (or any other) respect." Lloyd Bradford-Sykes, Curtain Call
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