Darien Takle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1950 |
| Alma mater | Toi Whakaari , Toi Whakaari |
| Awards | Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit |
Darien Ruth Takle ONZM is a New Zealand actor, playwright and teacher. Takle is best known for playing Cyrene, Xena's mother in Xena: Warrior Princess . In 2021, Takle was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the performing arts.
Takle was in Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School's first intake in 1970, and graduated with a Bachelor of Performing Arts. She also earned a Diploma of Fine Arts at Auckland University’s Elam School of Fine Arts, specialising in sculpture, and two diplomas at Unitec Institute of Technology. [1] [2] She is married to musician Matthew Brown, and they have written several comedy shows together. [3]
Takle's professional debut was at the Mercury Theatre in 1973. [2] Receiving an Arts Council grant, Takle travelled to the UK where she toured in Godspell , and established her own theatre company in London. [4] Returning to New Zealand, Takle devised and performed a show of Brecht/Weill songs, created the title role in Pam Gems's Piaf at Theatre Corporate, and wrote and performed a solo show about painter Frances Hodgkins, Wings Over Water. [2] [1]
Takle has performed internationally in the UK, America and Australia. [3] She has appeared in multiple stage roles, including as Fantine in Les Miserables , Eva Peron in Evita, and Cordelia in King Lear. [1] She has appeared in more than eight Roger Hall plays, including Taking Off and You Can Always Hand Them Back. [5] [1] [6] Takle's television credits include Xena's mother in Xena: Warrior Princess, and roles in Shortland Street , Marlin Bay , and Burying Brian . Film credits include the Headmistress in Heavenly Creatures , and Ruth Scarry in The Lost Tribe . [4]
Takle has taught acting, and is known for her mentorship of young actors, filmmakers and playwrights. [4] She has also recorded an album, No Regrets. [1]
In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours, Takle was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the performing arts. [4] At the 2003 New Zealand Film Awards, she won Best Performance in a Digital Feature for her role in Gregory King's Christmas. [1]
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