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. [1] 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. [2] [3] She is married to musician Matthew Brown, and they have written several comedy shows together. [4]
Takle's professional debut was at the Mercury Theatre in 1973. [3] Receiving an Arts Council grant, Takle travelled to the UK where she toured in Godspell , and established her own theatre company in London. [5] 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. [3] [2]
Takle has performed internationally in the UK, America and Australia. [4] She has appeared in multiple stage roles, including as Fantine in Les Miserables , Eva Peron in Evita, and Cordelia in King Lear. [2] She has appeared in more than eight Roger Hall plays, including Taking Off and You Can Always Hand Them Back. [6] [2] [7] Takle's television credits include Xena's mother Cyrene in Xena: Warrior Princess, and roles in Shortland Street , Marlin Bay , and Burying Brian . Film credits include the Headmistress in Heavenly Creatures , Marge in The Ugly , and Ruth Scarry in The Lost Tribe . [5]
Takle has taught acting, and is known for her mentorship of young actors, filmmakers and playwrights. [5] She has also recorded an album, No Regrets. [2]
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. [5] At the 2003 New Zealand Film Awards, she won Best Performance in a Digital Feature for her role in Gregory King's Christmas. [2]
