Robert’s first taste of community theatre was in 1994, when his sister asked him to join the men’s chorus of Engadine Musical Society’s production of Annie Get Your Gun. Apparently, they were desperate! But when he sang ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’ during the finale, Robert knew he had caught the theatre bug. It was destined to happen. His father, Aunty, and Uncle were heavily involved in Rockdale, Kogarah, and Hurstville musical societies back in the 1940s and 1950s.
Robert has been involved in community theatre now for nearly forty years. He has appeared in many productions with various companies around Sydney. Some of his favourite roles include King Arthur in Spamalot, Max Bialystock in The Producers, The Baker in Into The Woods, and Nathan Detroit in Guys And Dolls. He has also directed The Regals Musical Society’s productions of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum and Anything Goes with great success. Television viewers with a keen eye may have spotted him in Home And Away and All Saints, as well as many television commercials.
His comedic timing has been put to good use at The Guild Theatre in shows including Habeas Corpus, Arsenic And Old Lace, Caught In The Net, Out Of Order, Murdered To Death, and Moonlight And Magnolias.
Outside of theatre, Robert has worked as a Systems Programmer, a Senior Animator for Walt Disney, and an Art Teacher. Currently, he works as a Tour Guide to the Blue Mountains from Sydney. He has many interested an hobbies, including sport, model building, cryptic crosswords, trivia, travel, and performing with his ukulele band The Fine Lookin’ Fellas. As Robert often says, ‘If you’re not busy, you’re bored!’
‘Community theatre has been an important part of my life. It has provided me with the chance to be creative both on and off the stage and I have made many life-long friends. It also provides wonderful, affordable entertainment for our audiences.’ – Robert Mason
CREDITS
At The Guild
Previous Roles:
Ben Hecht in Moonlight And Magnolias | Bobby Dwayne in The Hallelujah Girls | Inspector Pratt in Murdered To Death | George Pigden in Out Of Order | Stanley Gardener in Caught In The Net | Dr Arthur Wicksteed in Habeas Corpus
Previous Production Team:
Lighting and Sound Operator – An Inspector Calls | Brilliant Lies | The Rose Tattoo
Stage Manager – The Importance Of Being Ernest
Other Companies
Previous Roles:
King Arthur in Spamalot | Max Bialystock in The Producers | Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum | The Baker in Into The Woods | Luther Billis in South Pacific | Nathan Detroit in Guys And Dolls (Miranda Musical Society)
Previous Production Team:
Director – Anything Goes | A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum
Stage Manager – Pirates of Penzance