Wendy Strehlow

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Wendy Strehlow
Born1958 (age 6667)
Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
Education Flinders University (1977–1978)
National Institute of Dramatic Art (1980; 1993)
Occupation(s)Actress (theatre and television)
Years active1979–present
Known for A Country Practice (TV series) as Judy Loveday
All Saints (TV series) as Lorraine Tanner
Family Sophie Hensser (daughter)

Wendy Strehlow (c. 1958) is an Australian television and theatre actress, best known for her role as Judy Loveday in A Country Practice . [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Strehlow grew up in the outback outside Rockhampton, in Queensland. [2] [3] She is Jewish, [4] and her family originally migrated to Australia from Europe. Strehlow's considers that her family name may have been anglicized from 'Stralov'. [5] She had a large extended family, who were farmers and ran a bakery. [3]

She took ballet lessons from the age of four. and then joined Rockhampton Little Theatre at age 11, where she played Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream , cementing her love for acting, [3] She went on to study drama at Flinders University in South Australia [2] in 1977, and graduated the following year, in 1978. [6] She then studied a Bachelor of Dramatic Art in Acting at Sydney's NIDA, graduating in 1980. [7] [6]

In 1993, Strehlow studied a post-graduate course in Movement Studies at NIDA, and has since taught Movement, Text and Acting for Camera at NIDA, Australian Theatre for Young People and Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). [7]

Career

Strehlow has appeared in numerous television series. She was cast in the 1982 TV movie A Step in the Right Direction , straight out of NIDA. [3] . She then won the role of much-loved nurse sister Judy Loveday in the soap opera A Country Practice from the pilot episode in 1981. Her character did not appear for some time, because while they were waiting to see if the series was greenlit, Strehlow was offered a year of work with the South Australian Theatre Company and a role in For the Term of His Natural Life . She was, however, asked back to continue playing Judy at the end of that year, [3] and went on to appear as the character until 1986, for 217 episodes. The role won her a Logie Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1985. [3]

After her tenure on A Country Practice , Strehlow won the role of Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion at the Phillip Street Theatre in Sydney. [3] She has appeared in numerous other theatre productions, including The Greening of Grace, The Memory of Water , Travesties , Broken Glass , Machinal and the Pulitzer Prize winning production, Clybourne Park . She has also performed in several Shakespeare works, including Henry IV , The Tempest , Love’s Labour’s Lost and an all-female version of The Taming of the Shrew . [8]

From mid-2005 to 2008, Strehlow played the role of paramedic Lorraine Tanner in the Seven Network medical drama All Saints . [1] Her other television credits include E Street , Blue Heelers , McLeod's Daughters , Home and Away and The Saddle Club .

Strehlow was nominated for a Sydney Theatre Award and a Glugs Theatrical Award for her role as Jackie in a 2012 stage production of I Want to Sleep with Tom Stoppard. [9] In 2019, Strehlow and her fellow cast members were nominated for an Equity Ensemble Award for their performance in the boxing drama miniseries On the Ropes . [10]

In 2023, Strehlow appeared at an event for A Country Practice , where fans had gathered at locations, including the Wandin Valley hospital. [11]

In 2023, Strehlow appeared as Christine in a Q Theatre production of The Village, Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream , and Queen Margaret in Richard III . [8]

For many years, Strehlow has been a spokesperson on the rights of artists and the need for arts to be on the Australian national policy agenda. [3]

She has worked as front of house manager at Seymour Centre / Carriageworks in Sydney since 2010. [6]

Personal life

Strehlow is married to a television sound technician and is the mother of soap actress Sophie Hensser. [2] They have appeared on screen together in The Saddle Club and The Snip. Strehlow is a grandmother through Sophie, who has two children of her own. [12]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleType
1981 Hoodwink Martin's SisterFeature film
1999Dead EndDet. Maggie LaytonFeature film
2001 Dalkeith Miss DenhamFeature film
2005The LibertineWomanFilm short
2009Dear DiaryRhondaFilm short
The StorymakerGrinning Gaol-KeeperFilm short
Clown PornBubblesFilm short
2015SwingersCarolFilm short
2017FallingOlder RebeccaFilm short
2018Toe-SuckerTerriFilm short
2019The SnipMathilda FarrugiaFilm short
Mystic PinesCarolFilm short
2020The ComplexMumFilm short
Diving InWendyFilm short
2023Wonder Down UnderBarb Barrett / Wonder Down Under

Television

YearTitleRoleType
1981Film ContinuityHerselfFilm documentary short
A Step in the Right Direction RobynTV film
1981–1986 A Country Practice Sister Judy Loveday217 episodes
1982 For the Term of His Natural Life JennyMiniseries, 3 episodes
1988 The Dirtwater Dynasty St Lukes Sister (as Wendy Stehlow)Miniseries, 1 episode
1990 How Wonderful! Perfect Mum / Francine Raymond / Politician's MistressTV film
Family and Friends Janet Simmonds
TV Celebrity Dance PartySinger with The MadrigirlsTV special
1991 Act of Necessity Cressa BuchananTV film
E Street Ruth Sloman1 episode
1992 G.P. Alice MeyerSeason 4, 1 episode
1993 Bay City Sue WalkerMiniseries, regular role
1993–1994 Ship to Shore Denise GarneySeason 2, 3 episodes
1996 The Adventures of the Bush Patrol Maggie Dean1 episode
Natural Justice: Heat Council ClerkTV film
1997; 2000 Blue Heelers Anita Harvey / Maxine AmbroseSeason 4 & 7, 2 episodes
1999 Halifax f.p. Carol WitherspoonEpisode 14: "A Murder of Crows"
2001 The Saddle Club Chelsea Owens2 episodes
Crash Zone Mrs. Sparks1 episode
2002 McLeod's Daughters Helen1 episode
Don't Blame the Koalas Mrs. Krantz9 episodes
2002; 2005–2008 All Saints Jennifer Neal1 episode
2002; 2007 Home and Away Jane Wallis1 episode
2005–2008 All Saints Lorraine Tanner28 episodes
2013Skit Box1 episode
2014Soul MatesCersei1 episode
2016 Here Come the Habibs Border Security1 episode
Hyde & Seek ElaineMiniseries, 1 episode
2017 Drop Dead Weird Aubrey1 episode
2018 On the Ropes GloriaMiniseries, 4 episodes
2019 Hardball Wanda3 episodes
2020Tales for Uncertain TimesStepmother3 episodes
2022Remember My NameDoctor Keats1 episode
2025 The White Lotus Australian touristSeason 3, 1 episode

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979 The Seagull NIDA, Sydney
The Caucasian Chalk Circle Chorus Sydney Opera House with STC
The Fire Raisers NIDA, Sydney
Saved Jane St Theatre, Sydney with NIDA
Love's Labour's Lost NIDA, Sydney [3]
1980The Women Pirates Ann Bonney and Mary ReadGinny / Elizabeth / Mabel Cormac / Creole Woman NIDA, Sydney, University of Newcastle, Playhouse, Canberra
Strife Madge Thomas NIDA, Sydney
1981 For the Term of His Natural Life STCSA [3]
FanchenPrice Theatre, Adelaide with STCSA
The Revenger's Tragedy Court LadyPlayhouse, Adelaide with STCSA
1982The Two Oddments or The Long and Short Of It Nimrod, Sydney
1986 Pygmalion Eliza Doolittle Phillip St Theatre, Sydney
1987 Absurd Person Singular Playhouse, Newcastle with Hunter Valley Theatre Company
1991 The Norman Conquests Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
Steaming Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, Regal Theatre, Perth, Lyric Theatre, Brisbane with Gary Penny Productions
1992Looking Off the Southern Edge Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts with Black Swan State Theatre Company
Caligula in the City Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts with Theatre Unlimited
The Threepenny Opera STCSA [7]
1994Sixteen Words for Water Subiaco Theatre, Perth with Black Swan State Theatre Company & Theatre West
SistergirlNurse Kay / Miss Simmons Regal Theatre, Perth, Russell St Theatre, Melbourne with Black Swan State Theatre Company, Theatre West & MTC
2002 The Tempest Ariel New Theatre, Sydney
Gabriel
2003Portia Coughlan Darlinghurst Theatre, Sydney with Octopus Theatre
Broken Glass Margaret Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
2004 The Vagina Monologues University of Sydney
The Women of LockerbieOlive Alison NIDA Theatre, Sydney with Cumulus Productions
The FlatsSarah Darlinghurst Theatre, Sydney
2005 The Drowned World
2005–2007 The Memory of Water Vi Darlinghurst Theatre, Sydney, Glen St Theatre, Sydney & NSW regional tour with Critical Stages & Whoosh Productions
2007Spirit Stables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company
SoldHilary Old Fitzroy Hotel Theatre, Sydney with Tamarama Rock Surfers
2009 Travesties Nadezhda Krupskaya Sydney Opera House with STC
The Taming of the Shrew Vincentio / Tailor Theatre Royal, Hobart, SA regional tour, Canberra Theatre, Sydney Opera House with Bell Shakespeare
2010BangRosalie Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney
2011 Bill W. and Dr. Bob Carriageworks, Sydney with Serenity Productions
2012Four Deaths in the Life of Ronaldo Abok Riverside Theatres Parramatta with True West Theatre
The Greening of GraceJane Theatre 19, Sydney [13]
I Want to Sleep with Tom StoppardJackie Bondi Pavilion, Sydney with Tamarama Rock Surfers [14]
2013 Henry IV Mistress Quickly Playhouse, Canberra, Playhouse, Melbourne, Heath Ledger Theatre, Perth, Sydney Opera House with Bell Shakespeare [15]
Return to EarthWendy Stables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Independent
Machinal Clerk / Nurse / Woman Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC [16]
2014 Clybourne Park Bev / Kathy Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, The Concourse, Sydney
The Crucible Mrs PutnamLeura Park Estate, Curlewis with Sport for Jove [17]
2014–2015 A Midsummer Night's Dream Bella Vista Farm, Leura Park Estate, Curlewis with Sport for Jove
2015 The Importance of Being Earnest Miss Primm
2015–2016 Love's Labour's Lost Nathalia
2017 Hysteria YahundaEternity Playhouse, Sydney, Darlinghurst Theatre Company [18]
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest CheswickReginald Theatre, Sydney with Sport for Jove
Grace Under Pressure Seymour Centre, Sydney
InvasiaHustle & Flow Bar, Sydney with The Leftovers Collective [5]
2019 The Merchant of Venice Shylock Sport for Jove
2020 Twelfth Night Maria Everglades, Leura with Sport for Jove
2021 The Museum of Modern Love : Open Rehearsal and Reading Seymour Centre, Sydney
2023The VillageChristineThe Joan, Penrith with Q Theatre Company
A Midsummer Night's Dream Puck Everglades, Leura [19]
Richard III Queen Margaret

[8]

Awards and nominations

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
1985 A Country Practice Logie Awards Best Supporting Actress Won [3]
2012I Want to Sleep with Tom Stoppard Sydney Theatre Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role in an Independent ProductionNominated [9]
Glugs Theatrical Awards Nominated [20]
2019 On the Ropes Equity Ensemble Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Miniseries or TelemovieNominated [10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Wendy Strehlow".
  2. 1 2 3 Schipp, Debbie (6 May 2012). "Sophie Hensser finds acting is real family affair". DailyTelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Holding the Mirror Up to Wendy". adamgerace.com. 13 June 2014.
  4. (14 December 2018) Summer showtime Australian Jewish News. Retrieved on 14 December 2018
  5. 1 2 "5 Questions with Nisrine Amine and Wendy Strehlow". suzygoessee.com.
  6. 1 2 3 "Wendy Strehlow". LinkedIn.
  7. 1 2 3 "Sistergirl". Theatregold.
  8. 1 2 3 "Wendy Strehlow theatre credits". AusStage.
  9. 1 2 "2012 Sydney Theatre Awards Nominations Announced". Stage Whispers. 2012.
  10. 1 2 "Equity members salute casts of 'Riot,' 'Homecoming Queens,' 'Mystery Road'". if.com.au. 18 June 2019.
  11. Knox, David (13 May 2023). "Fans gather at A Country Practice locations | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  12. "Sophie Hensser & Wendy Strehlow: Finding Passion in the Same Industry". Listen Notes. 6 May 2021.
  13. "The Greening of Grace". Stage Whispers. 2012.
  14. "I Want to Sleep with Tom Stoppard". Stage Whispers. 2012.
  15. Grogan, Zilka (22 April 2013). "Wendy Strehlow soaks up role in Henry IV". dailytelegraph. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  16. Supple, Augusta. "Machinal | Sydney Theatre Company - Australian Stage Online". australianstage.com.au. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  17. Blake, Jason (14 December 2014). "The Crucible at Bella Vista Farm review: well told in ambient setting". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  18. Martin, Chris (21 April 2017). "Hysteria is the kind of outdated independent theatre production Sydney should leave behind". The Brag. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  19. Madigan, Damien (10 January 2023). "From A Country Practice to outdoor Shakespeare: Wendy Strehlow stars in A Midsummer Night's Dream". Blue Mountains Gazette. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  20. "Grace Under Pressure" (PDF). Arts Health Network.