Trevarthen, Noel

Noel Trevarthen left Sacred Heart College, Ponsonby, in 1950 and studied at the Auckland School of Architecture for four years, planning to join his father’s building firm. He worked for a year as a draughtsman in the United States, went to Britain, made the typical New Zealander’s tour of the Continent by car with friends, astonishing their English acquaintances, then settled down for two years in the architect’s office of a big London building firm.

“...before catching a ship back to the States on my way home, I had two months to spare, I was broke and someone asked me at a party how I photographed. I had a sitting and began modelling.”

Then came television commercials—70 in a year—with exclusive contracts, a part in a family television series, and the decision that he had better learn how to act. Torquay Repertory needed someone for “pukka young man” parts in a hurry. Not too many questions were asked and Mr Trevarthen began four months of learning all he knows about acting, made all the mistakes, bungled stage directions, and even turned his back on the audience. 

He went on to secure a steady and varied supply of parts in the UK and Europe in the early 60s including a cameo in films such as A Hard Day’s Night,” “Sink the Bismarck,” and starring roles in two Italian films. Overseas tv work included "Armchair Theatre,” “Danger Man,” “Emergency Ward Ten,” “The Planemakers,” and “Riviera Police” in the UK.

He returned to the southern hemisphere and various roles on both sides of the Tasman; in Australia including "Motel,” Riptide,” “Contrabandits", and "The Rover"

NZ roles included: