Does Chloe Maxwell live life in the fast lane? The Jeans West ad's hitchhiking theme could be a scene from a horror flick. Stranded out on the Lost Highway Maxwell alludes more to Patricia Arquette's film character than Emma Bunton's recent pop pastiche. It is on this road that image and reality collides. There's a glimmer in Maxwell's eyes that suggests she's done and seen it all or at least been there and back.

In 1993 Maxwell was literally picked up and hurdled head first into the modelling world. "My agent Ursula, from Chic Models, was doing a TV story on how she could pick girls off the street and make them into models for A Current Affair. I was running errands for my dad and they accosted me with a group of cameras. I thought 'Oh no they're going to ask me about politics' and I had no idea what I was going to say. But they just asked if I wanted to be a model. A few days later they took me into a studio and made me up. It was all captured on ACA... so it was an excellent introduction to modelling," Maxwell reminisces.

This back story feeds the recent preoccupied fantasy that anyone discovered on television can become a superstar. Currently the Big Brother cast are doing the rounds and eight years on from Maxwell's 'documented discovery' Search for a Super Model 2 is about to begin again. It has been proven that to feed the fodder after your break, you need the balls and the "it" factor to survive the game.

The sprite 5'10 elf faced Maxwell knew how to camp it up for the photographers and her cavorting catwalk capers captured the attention of the spotlight. Campaigns for Esprit and editorials for the major Australian glossies followed. In 1995 Maxwell hit the international circuit doing shows for Comme des Garcon, editorials for The Face, and rubbed shoulders with fashion royalty Christian Lacroix, Vivian Westwood, Naomi Campbell and Eva Herzegova. 

Returning to Australia, Maxwell continued her domination of the glossies, branched out into television presenting and in 1999 she was one of the most in demand models for the Mercedes Australian Fashion Week shows. This was also the year Maxwell won the National Jeans West campaign and became a household face across the land.

"Jeans West kinda let me get away with murder as far as their advertising goes. I have a lot of say in the artistic input. They kinda give me a script and say 'Do what you want... work it child.'" 

It is Maxwell's dulcet dreamy whisper and infectious girlish giggle combined with her spontaneous scene stealing rants in the Jeans West campaigns that has secured her 'personality' a place in the lounge room echelons of celebrity. Portrayed in the industry as a rebel, a non conformist, cute and kooky, Maxwell is anything but dull.

"I never took modelling seriously as it was never something I dreamt of doing. I was kinda pushed into it. I always wanted to be a journalist. Since I never took it seriously, it never got to me and I guess that mentally shows through and makes you more appealing to a client and audience. No one likes anyone that's too eager."

When fame comes knocking, whether by chance or hard work, the attained celebrity status is combined with instant recognition and unwanted admirers.

"It's kinda weird... I don't mind it. I don't really think about it so much. If I want to go to the shops in my trackies and my thongs, I do. I don't care who is watching or who criticises me. I guess it's kinda weird though to a point. I've had people ringing me, strangers that have gotten my phone number and I found a guy in my backyard. And I lost some underwear off my clothesline... but never a pair of jeans... yet (infectious giggle explodes)."

Maxwell has become infamous by 'not' acting like a star and the public have eaten it up. Her manner and presence on the screen is approachable, honest and fresh and this is the allure. Maxwell, has maintained the same naive reality from that first day in 1993 when the cameras 'discovered' her. As time has told we all relish in the normality of becoming a celebrity, it has now become a life game of luck that is fuelled on by talent and desire. For Maxwell the freeway of fame is a steady one way road with no need to push the vehicle recklessly into unknown terrain.

"Everyone asks me what I'm going to do in the future. I don't have a plan. I'm just taking all the opportunities that come my way and making the most of them. Hopefully I'll end up somewhere that makes me happy... actually I'm pretty happy now, so I'm not really fussed."

Paul O'Connor http://www.xpressmag.com.au/fashion/fashion.html

Submitted by WebDork

As soon as Arnold Feather arrived at "Number 96" in 1972 the recurring theme of most of his storylines would soon become apparent.

A mild-mannered and well-behaved young man with a rather puny physique, it was inevitable that, in point of actual fact, young Arnold would be beset by a constant stream of glamourous young women falling at his feet.

One early romance was with Dorrie Evans' voluptuous niece Georgina Carter (Sussannah Piggott) while he later became entrapped by his sophisticated catering-school teacher Marion Carlton (Lorrae Desmond.)

This second assignation ended with a hasty getaway when Marion's husband called from the airport to say he was on his way home so Marion helpfully calls a taxi.

Arnold: "Do you think it will come quickly?"

Marion: "Well if the rest of the evening has been anything to go by it should be here before you've got your tie on"

No sooner was this drama in hand when Arnold embarked on a new romance with lovely blond showgirl Miss Robyn Ross, played by a glamourous newcomer named Carolle Lea.

After a rather serious albeit brief romance it was revealed the she was really a he.

In a daring and provocative move, the makers of "Number 96" had secretly cast Carlotta, the long running star of all-male revue "Les Girls", in the role.

Performed entirely by boys-who-looked-more-like-girls-than-girls-did, "Les Girls" was by then a veritable King's Cross institution with its big production numbers and impossibly gorgeous performers in glittery (and brief) costumes. Launched in 1963 the show was initially popular with the arty-crowd and attracted such visiting celebrities as Shirley Bassey, Vincent Price, Peter Allen and Liza Minnelli.

"Les Girls", and its transsexual star Carlotta, quickly became legend.

Carlotta had appeared in the very first "Les Girls" performance. The leggy brunette started out as a chorus girl but eventually emerged as the show's star, and, armed with a talent for improvising and a portable microphone, she also became the show's witty compere, often from within the audience.

She returned from an engagement in Hong Kong with silicone enhanced breasts and later went blond.

On her return to Sydney after her Hong Kong sojourn Australian newspapers reported that she had had a complete sex-change operation, though in fact this would not come until later.

Carlotta was in fact one of the three initial gender-reassignment operations performed in Australia. The operation was performed by a British surgeon at the Prince of Wales Hospital in the Sydney suburb of Randwick. Carlotta was the only celebrity of the three initial patients and her story made headlines.

Paying $5 for the sex change, enough to cover costs of the legal documents that Carlotta signed waiving any right of recompense from the hospital should the operation go wrong, Carlotta happily went under the knife. The operation was a success and she never regretted it.

Carlotta cannot recall the exact date of the surgery, believing it occurred either in 1973 or 1974. She continued with Les Girls after the operation, ultimately chalking up a whopping twenty-six years with the revue. By the time she left in 1992 the show had long been a standard for suburban mums-and-dads and a regular stop for giggly hen's party groups. Carlotta was by that stage famous for strolling through the audience between the big production numbers and ruthlessly sending-up anyone who made the fatal mistake of laughing too loud, dressing badly, or foolishly trying to heckle the great star.

The 'Number 96' appearance had in fact occurred before the big operation, with Carlotta's episodes airing February - March 1973.

In the autobiographical 1994 book 'He Did It Her Way: Carlotta, Legend of Les Girls', the celebrated showgirl recounts her experiences in the then top-rated soapie.

"I worked with Abigail on 'Number 96' when I was cast as Arnold Feather's new girlfriend, Robin Ross. The joke was that Arnold fell in love with me without realising I was a man. He thought I was a genuine showgirl. I remember Abigail used to turn up to work in these baby doll nighties. She was always getting into trouble for being late, but she was so pretty, the tiniest little face and that mass of thick hair. I don't think the camera did her justice.

"'Number 96' was my first real acting job and I was petrified. What made it worse was they kept me locked up on set because my true identity was supposed to be a secret.

"Pat McDonald, who played Dorrie Evans, was wonderful. She would pick me up in the mornings and tell me to just be myself. The funniest scene from 'Number 96' was when they had me in the dressing room and my flatmate walked in and caught me shooting up with this hypodermic needle that must have been fourteen inches long. And she asked me if I was a drug addict and I said 'No, I'm just injecting some hormones'. Which I thought was hysterical because the only hormones I ever took came in pill form.

"Eventually Arnold Feather asked Robin to get married so it was essential to the plot that I revealed that I was a tranny. The way they did it was for Arnold to put his hand up my dress and say 'Miss Ross, I mean, Mister Ross'. It was quite scandalous for its time. As soon as that episode finished the phones didn't stop ringing with people complaining.

"The original ending would have shocked them even more. It was planned that I would be in the bathtub when Arnold walked in so I stood up in surprise. They were going to film me from behind so you'd see Arnold having a look and then fainting. It would have been a better ending but you might have had half the viewers fainting as well. Fred Nile would have had a coronary.

"Because my identity had to be kept a secret they locked me in this very small dressing-room on set. I called it a cupboard, it was so small. When it was time to film one of my scenes they would order everyone out of the studio except the crew and the actors involved. At lunch breaks I would have my meals sent in to my room, while all the others went out to eat. It wasn't exactly fun. I'd have to be there at 7 am, you'd stay there till 6 pm, then I'd have to run off and do my show at "Les Girls".

"Abigail once said that she thought I had better tits than she did, but hers were pretty damn good, and they were real. She had trouble relating to me as a man (this was before my sex change) so she always referred to me as a she."

Source: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~fangora/carlotta.html

Currently working as an entertainer at The Beat nightclub in Fortitude Valley, Queensland.

As submitted by wdawes

Catherine was born in Sydney, 24th October 1974

For two and a half years, Australian-born Catherine Sutherland starred in the popular children’s television series The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers as Katherine Hillard, the Pink Power Ranger. She also reprised the role in the feature sequel Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie. She recently appeared in the HBO film The Jack Bull, starring John Cusack and John Goodman. Her television credits also include guest-starring roles on Sweet Valley High and Home and Away.

Was recently in the movie The Cell and played the character Anne Marie Vicksey

Source: http://www.cinema.com/search/person_detail.phtml?ID=2936

Official home page: http://hometown.aol.com/ooze0/index.html

As submitted by wdawes

Director, actor, and playwright, Cathy Downes, is acknowledged as one of New Zealand’s finest theatrical talents. Cathy Downes comes to The Court Theatre after a prolific career in theatre, film and Television on both sides of the Tasman. Cathy Downes graduated from the New Zealand Drama School, after completing a B.A. in English, Politics and Drama at Victoria University and two years as a TVNZ programme purchaser and film editor.

After three years professional acting experience in NZ, Cathy traveled to Europe in 1976, and established two theatre companies, in Amsterdam and in London, and developed her acclaimed One Woman Play, THE CASE OF KATHERINE MANSFEILD. Cathy has subsequently given almost 1000 performances of THE CASE OF KATHERINE MANSFIELD in six countries over the last twenty years, winning awards in Britain, NZ and Australia. While in Australia with THE CASE OF KATHERINE MANSFIELD, Cathy was invited to become a member of the Nimrod Actors Company in Sydney, where she worked for several years, and also appeared in several feature films, before returning to NZ in 1986. She continues to maintain close theatrical connections with Australia. Cathy Downes, a ‘Golden Kiwi’; was described in the recent ‘Golden Kiwi’ series, as one of NZ’s finest theatrical talents, with a special ability as a director to expose the subtleties of the way characters interact, and to explore the emotional heart of the play. Cathy Downes is also an award winning playwright and dramaturg, and in most of the many new NZ works she has directed, has worked substantially on the text with the playwright prior to the premiere of the work In 1998 she was made a Member Of The NZ Order Of Merit for her services to the Arts.

Directing credits include: The Court Theatre: THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE, OTHELLO. International Tours: PURAPURAWHETU [Canada, Greece, NZ]; WHITE BAPTIST ABBA FAN [Sydney Opera House, Australia, England, Zurich, Christchurch Festival, Auckland]; SKIN TIGHT [Christchurch Festival, Edinburgh Festival, London]; EUGENIA [NZ, Sydney, Manchester]. Australia: Playbox, [Melbourne] and Glen St [Sydney]; WAKING EVE. NZ Tours: WOMAN FAR WALKING, VITA AND VIRGINIA, JON TRIMMER’S HISTORY OF RNZ BALLET, A LONG UNDRESSING, ORACLES AND MIRACLES. NZ International Festival; WOMAN FAR WALKING, LILLIAN. Auckland Theatre Company; THE BOOK CLUB, AMY’S VIEW, FOUR CITIES, SOCIAL CLIMBERS, MARKET FORCES. Circa Theatre; WIT, SPEAKING IN TONGUES, THE BOOK CLUB, LES PARENTS TERRIBLES, CLOSER, LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN, THREE TALL WOMEN, THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG. Downstage; THE GOD BOY, TZIGANE, GOODWORKS, ONE FLESH, THE RIVERS OF CHINA. TVNZ: SHORTLAND STREET. Acting performances include: International: THE CASE OF KATHERINE MANSFIELD [Europe, Britain, USA, Australia, NZ]. JOYFUL AND TRIUMPHANT [London, Australia, NZ]. THE HEARTACHE AND SORROW SHOW [Europe, Britain, Australia, NZ]. SWEETCORN [Europe, Britain, Australia, NZ]. THE GLASS MERMAID [Playbox Theatre, Melbourne]. THREE SISTERS -Masha, CLOUD NINE, TALES FROM THE VIENNA WOODS, EXTREMITIES [Sydney Theatre Co, and Nimrod Theatre Sydney]. New Zealand: JULIUS CAESAR -Marcus Anthonia, MACBETH -Lady Macbeth, FALLING FROM GRACE, OTHELLO, SERIOUS MONEY [Downstage]. FAREWELL SPEECH, THE SECRET RAPTURE, TORCH SONG TRILOGY, AWAY [Circa]. A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE -Blanche [Court]. Film: THE INTRUDER, WINTER OF OUR DREAMS, MONKEY GRIP Writing credits include: THE CASE OF KATHERINE MANSFIELD [adapted from the writings of Katherine Mansfield]. FAREWELL SPEECH [adapted from the novel].THE HEARTACHE AND SORROW SHOW. SWEET CORN.

AWARDS 1998 MNZM for Services to the Arts. 1998 Best Production and Best Director CLOSER. 1997 Best Taki Rua Production and Best New Play PURAPURAWHETU. 1996 Best Production and Best Director TZIGANE. Best Circa Production THREE TALL WOMEN. 1995 Best Downstage Production GOOD WORKS. 1993 Best NZ Play FAREWELL SPEECH. 1992 Best Production JOYFUL AND TRIUMPHANT. 1980 Australia Film and TV Award [Sammy] Best Actress Supporting Role WINTER OF OUR DREAMS. 1980 Best Radio Play ABC and Best Radio Play NZBC, THE CASE OF KATHERINE MANSFIELD. 1979 Festival Times Best Play Edinburgh Fringe THE CASE OF KATHERINE MANSFIELD. Scotsman Omnibus THE CASE OF KATHERINE MANSFIELD, THE HEARTACHE AND SORROW SHOW, SWEET CORN. International Award Nominations: 1996 Green Room Award Melbourne, Best One person Show, THE CASE OF KATHERINE MANSFIELD 1995 Green Room Award Melbourne, Best Actress, THE GLASS MERMAID 1981 AFI Award Australia Best Actress Supporting Role WINTER OF OUR DREAMS 1980 PYE Award Best Radio Play World Service, THE CASE OF KATHERINE MANSFIELD

CATHY DOWNES: MNZM - DIRECTOR Cathy is currently based in New Zealand and works in theatre, film and television on both sides of the Tasman. She has also worked extensively in Europe. Cathy toured her acclaimed one woman play, The Case Of Katherine Mansfield to the UK, the USA, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand, winning several awards. She has numerous acting credits including Julius Caesar [Marcus Anthonia] Circa, NZ; Three Sisters [Masha] at Nimrod Theatre, Sydney; Joyful And Triumphant in NZ, Australia and the UK; The Glass Mermaid [Sara] for Playbox, Melbourne; Macbeth [Lady Macbeth] Downstage; A Streetcar Named Desire [Blanche] Court Theatre; NZ; Farewell Speech [Kate Sheppard] NZ tour. Cathy’s directing credits include, Woman Far Walking, Wit, Speaking In Tongues, Amy’s View, The God Boy, Closer, The Book Club, Vita And Virginia, Three Tall Women, Lady Windermere’s Fan, Waking Eve, Social Climbers, Good Works, Tzigane, Eugenia, A Long Undressing, Purapurawhetu, Les Parents Terribles, The Sisters Rosensweig and The Rivers of China Recent awards include: The MNZM for Services To The Arts, NZ’s Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards for; Best Director and Best Production 1998 for Closer, Best Circa production 1997 for Three Tall Women, Best Director and Best Production 1996 for Tzigane, Best Downstage production 1995 for Good Works, and Best Playwright 1993 for her play Farewell Speech. 2 Edinburgh Festival First Awards 1979 for The Case Of Katherine Mansfield.

Source: http://www.courttheatre.org.nz/index.cfm/4,276,62,32,html

As submitted by wdawes

New Zealand actress

Venus Blue (1998) .... Checkout Girl "Shortland Street" (1992) TV Series .... Waverly Wilson (1996-1997, 1998- )

Source: http//www.imdb.com

As submitted by wdawes

Christine Stephen-Daly is an Australian Actress. Height: 5ft 7. She trained at NISA.

TELEVISION CREDITS : Something in the Air; Stingers; Farscape; Wildside; All Saints; Water Rats; Murder Call; Big Sky; Pacific Drive; Blue Heelers; The Genie From Down Under; Gates of Janus; Eastenders; Casualty

FILM CREDITS : Love & Other Cataptrophes; Me, Myself I; So Long, Succour; A Change of Heart; Inspiration; Black Sun; Cas

THEATRE CREDITS : Sunshine Boys; Blinded by the Sun; Desire; Face to Face

Source: http://www.casualtyfiles.thinkhost.com/christine_stephen-daly.htm

As submitted by wdawes

No information available at this moment.

As submitted by wdawes