Abigail | |
|---|---|
| Born | Abigail Rogan 23 July 1946 London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1968 – 2000 |
| Known for | |
| Spouses |
|
Abigail Rogan[1][2] (known mononymously as Abigail; born 23 July 1946) is an English-born retired actress particularly of television soap operas and film and was also briefly a vocalist.
She emigrated from London in 1968 and became one of Australia's significant sex symbols of the early 1970s, promoted as a sultry blonde siren in the vein of Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot.[3]
She appeared in numerous soap operas including, Number 96, Sons and Daughters and Chances.
Early life
Abigail was born in London, England in 1946 to a mother of Ceylonese (now Sri Lanki), of Dutch Burghers descent[3] and educated in France, she started her career in her native United Kingdom, appearing in such roles as Robin Hood and the Continental Theatre, she arrived in Australia to study civil engineering whilst acting part time, but made a major foray in showbiz when she was given the chance to appear as the female lead in a local theatre production of the British comedy There's a Girl in My Soup in 1968. She settled in Sydney and appeared in an advert with Phil Silvers and the TV series Delta.[3]
Acting career
Film and television
She is best known for her roles in several prominent Australian TV soap operas, where she became known simply as ‘Abigail‘. She first became well known in Number 96, as an original cast member and as artist's model Bev Houghton, with her character providing fleeting nude glimpses. She became Australia's undisputed sex symbol of the early 1970s through the role. She was written out of the series after a dispute, although initially the media reported that she had left to appear in a movie in 1973. The character was re-cast with Victoria Raymond assuming the role. Abigail did however return to the soap in 1976 as the character of Eve.
During this period Abigail appeared in a series of brief cameo roles in a string of sex comedy films such as Alvin Purple (1973), and its 1974 sequel Alvin Rides Again. In 1974, Abigail would perform a striptease in the burlesque comedy "The Legend of San Peel" in The Barrel Theatre, a well-known strip palace in Kings Cross,[4] while struggling to find serious acting jobs.
In 1975, she appeared in Class of '75 as a prim French Senior Mistress. Also in 1975 she played Esmerelda in The True Story of Eskimo Nell and in 1976 appeared in another bawdy comedy Eliza Fraser.[4]
Abigail returned to Number 96 in November 1976. Her new character, the oft-divorced Eve, would potentially appear in a spinoff series, Fair Game, with Elaine Lee and Lynette Curran. It did not eventuate, although the completed pilot was divided up to create segments of three episodes of Number 96 (Episodes 1079–1081).[5]
Abigail appeared in a recurring sketch in The Norman Gunston Show called "The Checkout Chicks". This sketch, a send-up of melodramatic soap operas set in a supermarket, mostly featured other former Number 96 actresses. The show was cancelled in July 1977. Around the same time, she appeared in Glenview High. In 1977, Abigail appeared in The Young Doctors as super-efficient secretary Hilary Templeton. Also in 1977 she had a cameo role in the film Summer City, which is notable for being the first to have Mel Gibson in a major role.
In 1984 Abigail appeared in Melvin, Son of Alvin. In 1985, she scored a regular role in another soap opera Sons and Daughters, playing Caroline ‘The Cat’ Morrell, a role for which she became well known, and continued in until the series ended in 1987.
In 1988, she appeared in the film Breaking Loose, followed by a co-starring role in Elly & Jools playing Country & Western singer wannabe, Dulcie Dickson. In 1990 she appeared in Sher Mountain Killings Mystery followed by roles in soap operas Family and Friends and Neighbours. She then appeared in Chances as Bambi Shute, the host of a TV sex show, for most of 1992.
Theatre
Abigail had some success in the theatre, specialising in comedy roles. She toured New South Wales and Queensland with the stage farce A Bedfull of Foreigners in 1983.[6][7]
Publishing and music
In 1973, after leaving Number 96, she published her autobiography, Call Me Abigail which sold 150,000 copies in its first two weeks of sale.[4] Also in 1973, Abigail made an attempt, one of the first soap stars to do so (prior to Kylie Minogue) at a popular music career and scored a hit with a cover of Serge Gainsbourg's "Je t'aime... moi non plus", which reached the top 10 in Australia.[8] Although this debut was a success, follow-ups, including a comedic release with ventriloquist Chris Kirby, were not.
Retirement from acting
Abigail’s last role was in 2000, but in 2002, she briefly became a spokesperson for weight-loss company Jenny Craig. She claimed to have lost 17 kilograms in seven weeks.
Personal life
Abigail was twice married; first to her manager actor Mark Hashfield (who also appeared on Number 96 as Alan Cotterill) and then to actor Adrian Wright.[9][10]
Abigail was interviewed on Sydney radio station 2GB on her 60th birthday in 2006. At that time she was living on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
In March 2011, Australian current affairs program Today Tonight produced a story on Abigail, claiming that she had fallen on hard times and was living as a squatter in a derelict church. A rebuttal story was aired the following evening by rival current affairs program, A Current Affair. In fact she and her husband had been living there temporarily, with permission, as their home had been partially destroyed in the 2011 floods. Her damaged home was being prepared for rebuilding. The Today Tonight story captured some hidden camera footage of Abigail. She did not appear on camera consensually.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Les enfants de dieu | Feature film | ||
| Descente a la plague | Feature film | ||
| Imagination | Feature film | ||
| 1970 | Play 543 | Film short | |
| 1973 | Alvin Purple | Girl in see through blouse | Feature film |
| 1973 | The Wicked City | TV movie | |
| 1974 | Alvin Rides Again | Mae | Feature film |
| 1975 | The True Story of Eskimo Nell | Esmerelda | Feature film |
| 1976 | Murcheson Creek | Donna Lewis | TV movie |
| 1976 | Eliza Fraser | Buxom Girl | Feature film |
| 1977 | All at Sea | Denise Demour | TV movie |
| 1977 | Summer City | Woman in Pub | Feature film |
| 1984 | Melvin, Son of Alvin | Melvin's Mother, Mrs. Simpson | Feature film |
| 1988 | Breaking Loose: Summer City II') | Helen | Feature film |
| 1990 | Sher Mountain Killings Mystery | Muriel Cordeaux | Feature film |
| 1990 | Friday on My Mind | TV movie | |
| 1995 | The Final Stage | The Woman | Feature film |
| 1999 | Liang Po Po | Film short | |
| 2000 | Gitano | Gypsy (voice) | Animated film short |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robin Hood | Young Child | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Continental Theatre | TV series, 1 episode | ||
| 1969 | Delta | Guest role | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1972-73; 1976 | Number 96 | Bev Houghton / Eve | TV series, 77 episodes |
| 1972 | Moomba Festival | Guest - Herself with Number 96 cast | TV special |
| 1972 | The Tony Hancock Special | Guest | TV special |
| 1973 | The Barry Crocker Comedy Hour | Guest | TV special |
| 1973, 1973 | The Paul Hogan Show | Guest - Herself sings "Je Taime" | TV pilot |
| 1973 | The Don Lane Show | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1973 | The Paul Hogan Show | Herself sings "Do It Again" | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1973 | Sunday Magazine | Herself - (Number 96 Celebration 300th episode) Guest with Gordon McDougall, Ron Shand, Pat McDonald & Johnny Lockwood | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1973 | Two-Up Goes Legal | Herself | TV special |
| 1974 | Ted Hamilton's Musical World | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1974 | No Man's Land | Herself | TV play |
| 1974 | This Love Affair | Helen | TV series, episode 2: 'Tilting at Windmills' |
| 1974 | Frost Over Australia | Guest - Herself with Leonard Teale & Lady Sonia McMahon | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1975 | Class of '75 | Angelique Dupree | TV series, 98 episodes |
| 1975 | The Norman Gunston Show | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1975 | The Norman Gunston Show | Herself | TV series, 8 episodes ('The Check-Out Chicks' sketch) |
| 1975 | Celebrity Squares | Contestant | TV series |
| 1976 | Fair Game | Eve | TV pilot |
| 1976 | Number 96 | Eve | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 1976 | The Bluestone Boys | Guest role | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1976 | Up the Convicts | Sharlot (uncredited) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1976 | The Celebrity Game | Herself | TV series |
| 1976; 1994 | Number 96: And They Said It Wouldn't Last | Bev Houghton (archive clips) | TV special |
| 1977 | The Young Doctors | Hiliary Templeton | TV series |
| 1977 | Graham Kennedy's Blankety Blanks | Panelist | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 1977 | The Maggi Eckhardt Hour | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1978 | Glenview High | Guest role | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1978, 1984 | The Mike Walsh Show | Guest - Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1978 | Cappriccio | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1978 | The Zodiac Girls | Herself | TV pilot |
| 1979 | Chopper Squad | Alison Burns | TV series, 1 episode ' |
| 1980 | Celebrity Tattletales | Herself & Mark Hashfield | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 1980 | Catch Us If You Can | Herself | TV special |
| 1980 | The Variety Club Race Day | Herself | TV special |
| 1980 | Home Sweet Home | Patient | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1981 | Trial By Marriage | Laivinia | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1981 | Are You Being Served? | Perfume Saleswoman | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1981 | The Great Australian Argument Settler | Herself (pin-up) | TV special |
| 1982 | The Australian Way: A Salute to Aussie Sex Appeal | Guest | TV special |
| 1984 | The Mike Walsh Show | Guest - Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1984 | Special Squad | Mrs. Quinn | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1985-1987 | Sons and Daughters | Caroline Morrell | TV series, 410 episodes |
| 1985-1988 | Channel Seven Perth Telethon | Herself | TV special |
| 1986 | The 28th Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Presenter | TV special |
| 1986 | Kids Telethon Ten 21st Birthday Show | Herself in taped appearance with Number 96 cast: Pat McDonald, Johnny Lockwood, Bettina Welch, Elizabeth Kirkby, Chard Hayward, Sheila Kennelly, Harry Michaels, Wendy Blacklock, Frances Hargreaves & Vicki Raymond | TV special |
| 1986 | Punchlines | Herself | TV special |
| 1987 | Have a Go | Guest Judge | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 1987 | The 29th Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Herself | TV special |
| 1987 | Discovering Australia | Narrator | Film documentary |
| 1988 | Late Night Oz | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1989 | Neighbours | Betty Bristow | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 1989 | Rafferty's Rules | Michelle Dobbs | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1989 | 60 Minutes | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1989 | The Bert Newton Show | Guest - Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1989 | Bodysurfer | Mrs. James | ABC TV miniseries, 2 episodes |
| 1990 | Elly & Jools | Dulcie Dickson | TV series, 12 episodes |
| 1990 | Family and Friends | Doreen Stubbs | TV series |
| 1990 | Celebrity Family Feud | Contestant | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1991 | Col'n Carpenter | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 1991 | Tonight Live with Steve Vizard | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1991 | Good Morning Australia | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1991 | Til Ten | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1991; 1992 | In Sydney Today | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1991 | The Miraculous Mellops | Iron Peg | TV miniseries, 1 episode |
| 1992 | The Midday Show | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992 | Chances | Bambi Shute | TV series, 26 episodes |
| 1993 | Time Trax | Georgette | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1994 | Number 96: And They Said It Wouldn't Last | Presenter | TV special |
| 1995 | Ernie and Denise | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1995 | Good Morning Australia | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1995; 2011 | A Current Affair | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1995 | Eurotrash | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1996 | Wedlocked | Radner | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1997 | Where Are They Now? | Guest - Herself with The Young Doctors actors Chris King, Tim Page, Gwen Plumb, Mark Holden & Ugly Dave Gray | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2008 | Not Quite Hollywood: Deleted and Extended Scenes | Herself | Video |
| 2011 | Today Tonight | Herself (with partner Adrian Wright) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2011 | A Current Affair | Herself (with partner Adrian Wright) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2016 | RealTVFilms | Host | TV series, 2 episodes |
Theatre/Stage
- There's a Girl in My Soup (1968-1969)
- Rookery Nook (1970)
- Saga of San Peel (1975)
- Wild Oats (1977)
- A Bedfull of Foreigners (1982)
- Rattle of a Simple Man (1987)
- My Fat Friend (1988)
- Lunatic Soup (1990)
- Charley's Aunt (1991-1992)
Discography
- Singles[11]
- 1973 "Je T'aime" / "Last Tango in Paris" Festival Records (Australia) No. 6, 11 weeks[12]
- 1973 "Do It Again" / "Please Terry Do It One More Time" Festival Records (Australia) No chart position
- 1974 "These Dreams" / "(Just As) I Am" Festival Records (Australia) No. 96, 1 week
- 1976 "Biting My Nails" / "Stay A While" Festival Records (Australia) No chart position
- Album[11]
- 1973 Abigail Festival Records (Australia) L-35260
- Side A: 1. "An Occasional Man" 2. "My Baby Does it Good" 3. "New Fangled Tango" 4. "These Dreams" 5. "Do It Again" 6. "Je T'aime"
- Side B 1. "Sugar Me" 2. "The Man I Love" 3. "(Just As) I Am" 4. "Pillow Talk" 5. "Last Tango in Paris" 6. "Please Terry, Do It One More Time"*
The track "Please Terry Do It One More Time", is the one that features Chris Kirby.
- Produced by Martin Erdman
- Recorded at Festival's 'Studio 24", Sydney Australia
- Terry appears by courtesy of Chris Kirby.
References
- ↑ "Abigail [Press Clippings]". 1900. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
- ↑ Mawby, Nathan (17 March 2011). "TV soap star Abigail's flood misery". The Sunday Times. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
- 1 2 3 Giles, Nigel "Number 96 : Australian TV's Most Notorious Address"
- 1 2 3 "Aussie Soap Archive: Abigail: "I was naked"". Members.ozemail.com.au. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ↑ TV Week magazine, Southdown Press, 6 November 1976, "Sydney Viewing, Monday 8 - Tuesday 9".
- ↑ Atterton, Margot. (Ed.) The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Australian Showbiz, Sunshine Books, 1984. ISBN 0-86777-057-0
- ↑ Mercado, Andrew. Super Aussie Soaps, Pluto Press Australia, 2004. ISBN 1-86403-191-3 pp 44–45
- ↑ McFadyen, Warwick (18 June 2005). "Strike up the banned". The Age. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
- ↑ Knox, David (17 March 2011). ""TV royalty" branded "squatter" by Today Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
- ↑ "TV soap star Abigail's flood misery". Herald Sun. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
- 1 2 "Abigail". Australian Music Database. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
- ↑ "Abigail - Je t'aime (I Love You)". Pop Archives. Archived from the original on 3 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.