Shows
Daryl has been actively involved in theatre since 1979 and has been writing plays ‘seriously’ since 1988. As one of Tasmania’s foremost playwrights, he has written twelve one-act plays, four full-length plays and a musical. He has also written five training films, numerous revue and theatre-restaurant scripts and dialogue for a nationally syndicated cartoon strip.
One of his plays, Marching for Marco, won Daryl a Tasmania Day Award for his contribution to theatre through writing. This play was subsequently performed at the 1996 Adelaide Fringe Festival and the Antipodes Festival in Melbourne. Another two of Daryl’s plays, the pub-comedy Shenanigan’s Wake and Barbecue, have attracted national interest and continue to be performed around Australia.
With Hobart-based musician / musical director, Fran Armstrong, Daryl wrote Aussie Rules ~ The Musical which had its premiere performance at the Peacock Theatre, Hobart in August 2000 and has enjoyed subsequent productions.
Immediately after this success, Daryl was appointed Executive Officer for Tasmania’s inaugural arts festival, Ten Days on the Island.
Daryl is an entertainer of some repute regularly working as an MC, comedian/magician at corporate and club functions throughout Tasmania and on the big island!
He can work close-up (table) magic or provides a stage show involving comedy magic, song and / or stand up.
His knowledge of, and passion for, Tasmania makes him a winner with interstate and international groups. He is also in constant demand as an after-dinner speaker with his hilarious tales of life in theatre being the catalyst for audiences to explore the sociological, physical and psychological benefits of humour.
Daryl is the debonair half of Tasmania’s longest-running comedy duo Novak ‘n’ Good, which is now in its 24th year and continues to delight Tasmanian children as the magician Mr Beep with his ventriloquist mates Rollie, Artie and Uncle Clarrie.
Novak ‘n’ Good is in constant demand for sports clubs and for ‘blokey’ corporate functions. The duo has worked throughout Tasmania, interstate and at a holiday resort in Bali. The act was a hit at the inaugural Hobart Comedy Festival in 2002 and again in 2003.
Daryl’s most recent theatre appearance was as President Roosevelt in the ExitLeft Production of Annie at Hobart’s Theatre Royal in September 2003. His recent solo appearances have included the New Year’s Eve Spectacular at Hobart’s Wrest Point Casino and a comedy poetry performance which won great acclaim at the Cygnet Folk Festival in January 2004.
Every Friday afternoon, Daryl can be heard on state-wide ABC Radio with a round-up of theatrical, performing arts and light entertainment events around Tasmania.
He is a member of the Australian Writer’s Guild, a life member of the Old Nick Theatre Company, a Director of the Australian Script Centre Inc and an active member of the Tasmanian Tent of the Variety Club.