Angela graduated from NIDA in 1979 and worked for two years with Freewheels Theatre-in-Education in Newcastle before joining THE CASTANET CLUB as a musician and comedian. As one of the founding members of THE CASTANET CLUB, Angela appeared under the pseudonym BETTY B PLATE, playing saxophone, performing, singing, tap dancing and go-go dancing. With over 200 appearances, the band played live in every state of Australia and overseas, including the Edinburgh Festival. Angela also starred in the band’s feature length film, THE CASTANET CLUB… A MOVIE YOU CAN DANCE TO.
During her time as a member of THE CASTANET CLUB, Angela created the very popular comedic character, Shirley Purvis. As Shirley, she was a regular guest on THE BIG GIG series, THE RAY MARTIN SHOW, GOOD MORNING AUSTRALIA and a regular host on Channel Ten’s children’s programme, THE SHORN SHEEP SHOW. Live performances include World AIDS Day Food & Wine Festival Hyde Park, Festival of the Fools Martin Place, Frocks on the Rocks and a guest performer at the Sydney Festival. During this period Pan MacMillan released the witty and successful novel,SHIRLEY PURVIS – A DIARY FOR THE DOMESTICALLY INSANE.
In 1993 Angela hosted the ABC’s educational programme, READING WRITING ROAD SHOW. The programme was produced in conjunction with the department of Employment, Education and Training and TAFE NSW. In the same year Angela became a regular presenter with ABC’S PLAY SCHOOL. Angela remained a popular on air presenter for the next 10 years. Angela continued to tour nationally with PLAY SCHOOL LIVE through until 2009 and regularly toured with BANANAS IN PYJAMAS LIVE as the show’s host.
In 2004 Angela released a children’s book called DIZZY AND ME through ABC Books. In 2005 Angela wrote scripts for Channel 9’s NEW MACDONALDS FARMand with her long time creative collaborator Penny Biggins created the live theatre show ANGELA & PENNY’S HOLIDAY. The stage production was developed for children between 3 and 8 years of age. ANGELA & PENNY’S HOLIDAYcelebrates the iconic Aussie summer holiday through music, movement, humour and entertainment. ANGELA & PENNY’S HOLIDAY premiered at the Glen Street Theatre and enjoyed successful seasons at the Newcastle Playhouse and Riverside Theatre Parramatta in 2007 and by popular demand, return seasons in 2008. In response to the success of the stage show, 2006 saw the release of the ANGELA & PENNY’S HOLIDAY CD. The CD features the jaunty songs from the stage show and is produced by Risky Records and distributed through ABC Music Publishing. ABC KID’S TV regularly screen two film clips from the album, MOZZIE IN A COZZIE andROCKIN’ ROCK POOL. A concert version of the stage show was developed for the outdoor stage. Between 2005 -2010 ANGELA & PENNY’S HOLIDAY performed at all major outdoor events including, The Lord Mayor’s New Years Eve Picnic, Floriade, the Teddy’s Bear Picnic, Newtown Festival, the City of Sydney Christmas Concert series, including the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Martin Place and Australia Day concerts across the nation.
In 2011 Angela joined the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s team of PLAY SCHOOL script writers and continues to write for the series today. In addition to writing for television Angela is regularly commissioned by Kids Promotions in association with the ABC to write and direct PLAY SCHOOL LIVE IN CONCERTproductions. The shows run approximately 40 minutes and tour nationally to delighted young audiences. In 2015 Kid’s Promotions toured ONCE UPON A TIME, both written and directed by Angela. Angela directed the current touring production,HUMPTY’S SHOWTIME. 2016 also saw Angela commissioned by the ABC to write scripts and provide directorial services for their live event PLAY SCHOOL – WORLD’S BIGGEST PLAY GROUP DAY in Perth.
