Robyn Archer is a singer, writer, director, artistic director, and public advocate of the arts, mainly in Australia though her reach is global.
Many fans remember her from her stage successes such as A Star is Torn and Tonight lola Blau: some know her only as one of the world's foremost exponents of German cabaret songs. She is known for her own writing, including political songs in shows like Pack of Women and Kold Komfort Kaffee. Those who are just getting to know Robyn Archer may have only seen her as Artistic Director of arts festivals. Very few people have the full picture. Robyn Archer is one very energetic woman who still doing all the above and more.
She always has new things on the radar so it's worth stepping into the lounge from time to time to catch up. She's been a real gypsy for many years now so this site is the very best way to pin her down for five minutes. Enjoy.
Recent updates...
Robyn's Adelaide Cabaret Festival gig June 13 was a sell-out and warmly received. On the strength of the gig in Honolulu she has been invited to sing in Brecht's birthplace ( Augsburg) in 2011.
Robyn's recent keynote speeches have been published under the title DETRITUS by University of WA Press - ask your bookstore to get it in !
The Light in Winter is a huge success in Fed Square - especially Solar Equation , up there until July 4. Check out www.fedsquare.com
On October 15th 2009 Robyn was awarded ABAF's Dame Elisabeth Murdoch leadership Award. Her acceptance speech can be found in RECENT WORDS on this site
"She could have sung right through the weekend and filled the theatre for a month. As it was Robyn Archer, with Michael Morley at the piano have two enthusiastically packed houses two very different evenings of songs and poems... Archer presents both programs with humour and intelligence, backed up by years of performance experience. If she comes back ( and let's hope it is 'when') she is not to be missed" Canberra Times Nov 13 2008
ROBYN'S BACK CATALOGUE NOW AVAILABLE ! Today The Can announced that a substantial chunk of Robyn Archer recordings are now available online. Go to www.thecan.com.au/digital/robynarcher
Robyn spoke at New Yorks Arts Presenters' conference, New York January 9 ,10 and 11 2009. You can hear it at KADMUS arts website. She will return to the USA to direct a new Brechtian cabaret at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh,March/April 2009
Architektin opened at the Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide, for State Theatre. See Real Time Dec/Jan for Jonathan Boland's excellent review . Also From online review 5.9.08 by Stephanie Johnson www.australianstage.com.au Robyn Archer is beloved in Adelaide for her gutsy, fresh, intellectual material. Margarete Schütte-Lihotsky is likely unknown until this world premiere play depicts her life story ...rich, intriguing and thought-provoking. Archer and Schutte-Lihotsky remind us of the power of the human mind, and the passion that can drive individuals to achieve..Designer Mary Moore has done Schutte-Lihotsky proud with her clean lines and minimalistic stage design, complete with media screen. Her replica of the 'Frankfurt Kitchen' is particularly enlightening. Lighting designer Geoff Cobham ably supports her..Helen Morse as the older Schutte-Lihotsky brings to life the passion of this remarkable woman.. Archer has used a technique of having the older Schutte-Lihotsky on stage most of the time, in the background and acting as a voice of conscience to the younger Schutte-Lihotsky , played by Ksenja Logos. Architektin is heady material...not for the faint-hearted.
Robyn is now Artistic Consultant to Arts Mildura. See details of their amazing five festivals at www.artsmildura.com.au
Review of Norwich concert on May 10th 2007
IAN COLLINS
May 11, 2007 Norwich Playhouse (Norfolk and Norwich Festival)
"... Robyn Archer was a legend - and a star who gained further lustre from her concert in Norfolk.This veteran performer has a strong mezzo voice and a personality as big as her native Australia, and she invests her favourite material - culled from the archive of Bertolt Brecht and his peers and collaborators - with awesome passion.Aided by splendid pianist Michael Morley, these songs worked as cabaret (or, with so many from Weimar Berlin, as Cabaret).Spoken lyrics added poignant poetry.But a cycle moving from 1920s decadence through songs of economic and then moral collapse, to bitter refuge in America and false dawn in East Berlin, provided a surgeon's survey of the 20th century's icy heart.As Robyn sang, grainy newsreel images of terror and horror flashed through my mind.And as Tony Blair prepares for profitable retirement, leaving young British soldiers to die pointlessly in Iraq, the singer would doubtless agree that the messages of Brecht, Eisler and Kurt Weill resonate to this day."
Latest Words
Robyn's addresses from Ghent ( October 06) and New York ( January 07) now appear in Latest Words
SPECIAL OFFER
Rare copies of Robyn Archer books, no longer published, are offered for sale.
Pack of Women - A$ 55 incl GST plus postage
Mrs Bottle Burps - A$ 44 incl GST plus postage
Cafe Fledermaus - A$ 33 incl GST plus postageTo order the books contact Rachel Skinner at Rick Raftos' Management - cheques or electronic transfer only.
