Born in London, Barry was introduced to theatre as a small boy, through being taken to see traditional Christmas pantomimes, as well as discovering jazz and fine music at a very young age. High school found him loving the works of Shakespeare, as well as many other great playwrights, poets and novelists. Moving to Australia, he became a jazz musician, playing with big bands and his own small groups, then attended the Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide, playing with several orchestras. This led to playing in theatre pits, joining the chorus, playing character roles, playing lead roles (after moving into drama), then directing, set and lighting design, administrative roles on theatre boards and, finally, becoming a critic. After twenty years of writing he has now joined the Broadway World team to represent Adelaide, in South Australia. Barry is also a long time member of the prestigious Adelaide Critics Circle.
Do you remember On The Town, that wonderful musical film from 1949; three young sailors on shore leave on the loose in New York, singing and dancing through life, and meeting girls? Well, Dogfight, presented by St Jude's Players, is a bit like that, but just a bit.
In a late career change, I gained a degree in Adult and Vocational Education, and then a post-graduate degree in Secondary Education, leading to several years of relief and contract teaching in music and drama for a number of high schools.