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Noel Hodda

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Noel Hodda
Born1954 (age 70–71)
Alma materNational Institute of Dramatic Art, UNSW Sydney (1980)
Occupations

Noel Hodda (born 1954) is an Australian actor, writer, dramaturge, director and teacher.

Early life

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Noel Hodda was born in 1954,[1] in Albury, New South Wales, Australia.

Career

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Acting and narration

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Hodda was a founding member of the Riverina Theatre Company, located in Wagga Wagga and Project TYER, a Theatre In Education Co., for whom he also wrote and appeared in the play Strata Digger. Subsequently, he graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) at the UNSW Sydney and then worked as an actor for the Sydney Theatre Company, the Queensland Theatre Company, the Griffin Theatre Company, the Ensemble Theatre, the Q Theatre, Marian Street Theatre, Sport for Jove at the Seymour Centre[2] and others. He also performed in major national and international tours, including The Removalists, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, The Club, Life of Galileo, Chasing the Dragon, Diving for Pearls and Dinner.

He has appeared in numerous Australian television series and tele-dramas as both a lead and guest character. His first major television gig was a regular role in the drama Sons and Daughters as Rob Keegan, from 1982 to 1984. He played celebrity TV doctor David Fielding in E Street from 1989 to 1991[3] and patriarch Ron O’Donnell in Out of the Blue in 2008. Hodda has also had guest roles in Neighbours,[4] Janet King and Rake.[5]

His film appearances include A Step in the Right Direction (1981), The Highest Honour (aka Heroes of the Krait/Southern Cross) (1982), Silver City (1984), Emoh Ruo (1985) and The Bet (2006) among others.

Hodda began recording books as a student at NIDA as a means of earning extra money. He became a long-standing narrator for Vision Australia from 1977 to 2009.[6] In gaps between his work in the theatre, films and television, he has recorded hundreds of talking books for them, as well as the ABC and commercially. He has been shortlisted for several Talking Book Awards[7] and won the National Library TDK Australian Audio Book Award for his narration of the novel Cold Mountain.[8] He has also performed voiceover work for numerous advertisements.[9]

Writing

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Hodda has written and staged numerous plays including Issues Addressed, The Secret House, Half Safe, Photographs, On The Public Record, The Sculpture Garden, In This Light and Threat: Norma, Norm & the Dog. A selection of his plays titled "Plays: Noel Hodda" was published by Janus Imprint.[10]

His play Later (eventually known as Across the Water) was chosen to be workshopped at the prestigious Banff playRites Colony, in Banff, Canada in 2004. His play Rehearsing Julie (now re-drafted and titled Manda) was nominated for a Silver Gull Play Award in 2024.[11] His one act play Norma was made into a short film.

His television writing credits include episodes of the ABC TV G.P. drama.[12]

Hodda was writer in residence both at Charles Sturt University School of Performing Arts and University of Wollongong Faculty of Creative Arts.

Directing and teaching

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Hodda is an Honorary Life Member of Griffin Theatre Company , where he was a board member, Chairman of the Board, Director of D-Week and a member of the Literary Committee.[13] Currently,[when?] he still acts, directs and teaches.

He assesses plays for Page to Stage (a young playwrights' organisation) and Parnassus' Den. He has also been a script assessor for the Australia Council for the Arts, The Australian National Playwright's Centre and Belvoir Street Theatre, and has conducted acting and writing workshops for many organisations. He has been Artist-In-Residence at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, and has also taught acting and voice there on short-term appointments, as well as at the University of Wollongong School of Performing Arts.[12]

His dramaturgical work on the play Codgers by Don Reid contributed to that play winning the prestigious Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award in 2006.[citation needed]

Music

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Hodda was the bass player in two resident bands for Griffin Theatre Company in the 1980s – The Brian Roberts Big Band (jazz, blues and country) and The Fabulous Front Girls and their backing band The Coathangers (a surf band formed to play at a 1985 benefit rally against the closure of live theatres).[14]

Acting credits

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1982 1915 Captain Barnes Miniseries, 3 episodes
1982 Holiday Island Georgio
1983 M.P.S.I.B. Kenneth 1 episode
1982–1987 Sons and Daughters Rob Keegan 238 episodes
1984 Five Mile Creek Mr Little 1 episode
Bodyline Vic Bradman Miniseries, 2 episodes
Cop Shop Fermer
1984–1992 A Country Practice Gareth Spencer / Murray West / Col Herbert / Mystery Caller 8 episodes
1985 Wild & Woolley Woolley
1986 Cyclone Tracy Lt. Tony Baker TV miniseries, 3 episodes
1987–1988 Neighbours Derek Morris 7 episodes
1989 Living with the Law Rich
1989–1991 E Street Dr. David Fielding 182 episodes
1992 Shortland Street Peter Sheldon 9 episodes
1995 G.P. Mark Dowling 1 episode
Blue Heelers Inspector Harris 1 episode
1997 Big Sky Doug Matthews 1 episode
Heartbreak High Bob Rainer 1 episode
1997–2000 Water Rats Bobby Weaver / Simon Waverly 3 episodes
1998 McFeast Elle's Dream Man
2000 Murder Call Jack Turkington 1 episode
2001 BackBerner Various 1 episode
Farscape Charrid Leader 1 episode
2001; 2005 All Saints Rob Kydd / Perry Anderson 2 episodes
2005 Pizza PM's Head of Security
Blue Water High George 1 episode
2007; 2017 Home and Away David Mayvers / Tim Birch 2 episodes
2008–2009 Out of the Blue Ron O'Donnell 68 episodes
2010 Mary Mackillop Father Tappeiner Documentary
Tough Nuts: Australia’s Hardest Criminals Police Inspector
2014 Rake Banking Commissioner 2 episodes
2014–2017 Janet King Magistrate Hansford 3 episodes
2017 House of Bond Judge Miniseries, 2 episodes
Friday on My Mind Alexis Albert Miniseries, 1 episode
2018 Dr Max Lecturer

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1981 A Step in the Right Direction Gary TV movie
1982 The Highest Honour (aka Heroes of the Krait/Southern Cross) Able Seaman M.M. Berryman TV movie
1984 Silver City Estonian man Feature film
1985 Emoh Ruo Pete Feature film
1993 You and Me and Uncle Bob Neville TV movie
2000 Ihaka: Blunt Instrument Wickham TV movie
2006 The Bet Brian Feature film

Theatre

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Year Title Role Notes
1976 How Does Your Garden Grow? Brenda Rivcol Dramaturg Club, Wagga with Stable Productions[14]
1977 Diamond Studs Riverina Trucking Company
1977–1978 The Removalists Constable Neville Ross
Much Ado About Nothing Messenger / Boy / Dogberry
1979 The Three Sisters Jane St Theatre, Sydney with NIDA
The Caucasian Chalk Circle Nephew Sydney Opera House with NIDA & STC
Beyond Mozambique NIDA Theatre, Sydney
The Love of a Good Man Jane St Theatre, Sydney with NIDA Theatre
1980 The Women Pirates Ann Bonny and Mary Read Pierre / Thomas Deane NIDA Theatre, Sydney, University of Newcastle, Playhouse, Canberra
Strife Edgar Anthony NIDA Theatre, Sydney
1981 The Incredible Vanishing Constable Jack Parker Q Theatre, Penrith
The Circle Edward Luton SGIO Theatre, Brisbane with QTC
1984 When Are We Going to Manly? Colin Stables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company
1985 The Removalists Kenny Phillip St Theatre, Sydney
1986–1987 Are You Lonesome Tonight? Young Duke / Doctor / Company Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, Festival Theatre, Adelaide
1988 The Boys Stevie Sprague NIDA Parade Theatre, Sydney for The 16th Australian National Playwrights' Conference
1991 Caravan Pierce Churchill Theatre, Bromley, Theatre Royal, Lincoln, Adam Smith Centre, Kirkcaldy, UK[15]
1992 The Common Day Lenny ANU, Canberra
1994 Choice Various roles Newcastle Civic Theatre, Bridge Theatre, Sydney, Q Theatre, Penrith with Riverina Theatre Company & Hunter Valley Theatre Company
1995 Table for One Nick Wonderland Productions
The Club Gerry Marian St Theatre, Sydney with Northside Theatre Company
1996 The Life of Galileo Monk / Mathematician Sydney Opera House with STC
1998 Chasing the Dragon Gavin Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC
1999 Art Theatre Royal Sydney with STC
Diving for Pearls Ron Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
2000 Favourite Names for Boys Les / Frank Railway Street Theatre
2002 The Great Man Rhys Rogers Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide with STCSA[16]
2003 A Conversation Col Shorter Australian tour
2007 Dinner Hal Stables Theatre, Sydney
2009 Blackbird Ray Acton St Theatre, Canberra
Embers Various roles Australian tour with HotHouse Theatre & STC
2010 The God Committee Fr. Charlie Dunbar Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
2011 The Dapto Chaser Cess Sinclair Illawarra Performing Arts Centre with Merrigong Theatre Company
2012 Time Stands Still Richard Darlinghurst Theatre, Sydney
2014 Charitable Intent Brian The Concourse, Sydney with Ensemble Theatre
2015 The Secret House (reading) Playwright Bowen Library Theatrette, Sydney[14]
2015–2020 The Dapto Chaser Arnold Denny Stables Theatre, Sydney, The Butter Factory Theatre, Wodonga, Riverina Playhouse, Dendy Cinemas, Sydney, Online
2016 Three Sisters Chebutykin Seymour Centre, Sydney with Sport for Jove
2017 Blackrock 2017 Stewart / Len / Roy Seymour Centre, Sydney[17]
2018 Stalking the Bogeyman David's father Old Fitzroy Theatre, Sydney with Neil Gooding Productions, NewYorkRep & Red Line Productions
2023 Unprecedented Various roles VIC & NSW regional tour with HotHouse Theatre
The Lives of Eve Paul KXT On Broadway, Sydney with White Box Productions
2024 Seventeen Tom Seymour Centre, Sydney with Wildthing Productions
Cut Chilli Jeff Old Fitzroy Theatre, Sydney with New Ghosts Theatre Company[18]
2025 Heaven Mal The Loading Dock – Qtopia Sydney with Bitchen Wolf
Strata Digger Project TYER, a Theatre In Education Co

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Narration / voiceover

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Audiobooks

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Year Title Role
1999 Cold Mountain Narrator
The Hobbit Narrator
The Lord of the Rings Narrator
The Fortunes of Richard Mahony trilogy Narrator
The Book Thief Narrator
2003 The Girl Green as Elderflower Narrator[21]
2005 Scarecrow Army Narrator[22]
2010 Things We Didn't See Coming Narrator[23]
2013 The Breadmaker's Carnival Narrator
2020 The Ambassador Narrator[24]
2021 Freedom Highway Narrator[24]

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Commercials

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Title Role
Australian Capital Reserve Voiceover
Avis Budget Group Voiceover
BRW Rich List Voiceover
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Voiceover
Frontline Plus Voiceover
Macquarie Bank Voiceover
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Voiceover
Westfield Group Voiceover

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Writer / director credits

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1994; 1996 G.P. Writer 2 episodes

Theatre

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Year Title Role Notes
1985 Yeah, But Is It Funny?: The Gummy Man in Search of Love / Issues Addressed Director Stables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company
1980s Issues Addressed Co-writer / Director Griffin Theatre Company[25]
1986 Crosscuts – A Rock and Roll Cabaret Director Stables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company
1987–1989 The Secret House Playwright Stables Theatre, Sydney, Anthill Theatre, Melbourne, The Hole in the Wall Theatre, Perth with Griffin Theatre Company
1990 Half Safe Playwright Riverina Playhouse, Wagga Wagga, Stables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company
Photographs Playwright Charles Sturt University School of Performing Arts
On The Public Record Playwright University of Wollongong Faculty of Creative Arts
2004; 2013 Later (renamed Across the Water) Playwright playRites Colony, Banff, Canada, Laguna Community Hall with Valley Artists
2006 Codgers Dramaturg
2013 The Secret House Playwright National Theatrette, Melbourne with Australian National Theatre
2015 The Secret House (reading) Playwright Bowen Library Theatrette, Sydney
2018 The Sculpture Garden Playwright Laguna Community Hall with Valley Artists Inc
2022 In This Light Playwright / Producer Flight Path Theatre, Sydney with Ca Va Productions
Threat: Norma, Norm & the Dog Playwright Later made into a short film directed by the writer[26]
2025 Manda (formerly Rehearsing Julie) Writer Actors Benevolent Fund, Sydney[27]
Strata Digger Project TYER, a Theatre In Education Co
Never a Moment's Peace East Coast Theatre Company[7][13]

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Awards and nominations

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Year Work Award Category Result
1999 Cold Mountain National Library TDK Australian Audio Book Awards Unabridged Fiction Award Won[7][8]
2016 Three Sisters Glugs Theatrical Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated[17]
2024 Rehearsing Julie (now re-drafted and titled Manda) Silver Gull Awards The Silver Gull Play Award Nominated[11]

References

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  1. ^ Chanter, John (17 March 2016). "Albury actor Noel Hodda back on Border with The Dapto Chaser cast at HotHouse Theatre's 2016 season opener". The Border Mail. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  2. ^ Blake, Jason (1 August 2016). "Three Sisters review: Sport for Jove gives Chekhov unsentimental Australian spin". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  3. ^ Hodda, Noel. "edenstreet.net talk to Noel Hodda". E Street (Interview). Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  4. ^ "Neighbourhood: Actor Profiles: Noel Hodda". The Perfect Blend. Grundy Television Pty Ltd. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  5. ^ McMaster, Simon (24 February 2016). "Albury ex-pat Noel Hodda excited to be coming home for The Dapto Chaser". Hothouse Theatre. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Noel Hodda". LinkedIn. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ a b c d "Noel Hodda – About". noelhodda.com.
  8. ^ a b "TDK Audio Book Awards. And the winners are ..." Gateways (42). National Library of Australia. December 1999. ISSN 1039-3498. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Voice Over Artists Male – Commercial & Corporate Narration". BMEG Online.
  10. ^ "Noel Hodda: Cast (Tom), Seventeen". Seymour Centre.
  11. ^ a b "Noel Hodda – Writing". noelhodda.com.
  12. ^ a b "Noel Hodda". Sport for Jove Theatre Co. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  13. ^ a b "New Theatre announces The Silver Gull Play Award 2024 Shortlist". Australian Arts Review. 17 September 2024.
  14. ^ a b c "Noel Hodda – Stray Images". noelhodda.com.
  15. ^ "Caravan". Theatricalia.
  16. ^ "The Great Man". Theatregold.
  17. ^ a b "Noel Hodda – Acting". noelhodda.com.
  18. ^ "Cut Chilli". Theatricalia.
  19. ^ a b "Noel Hodda theatre credits". AusStage.
  20. ^ "Actor profile – Noel Hodda". Showcsst.
  21. ^ "Noel Hodda Audiobooks". City of Sydney Lbrary Service.
  22. ^ "Scarecrow Army". natlib.govt.nz.
  23. ^ "Things We Didn't See Coming". wheelersbooks.co.nz.
  24. ^ a b "Noel Hodda". Audible.
  25. ^ "Griffin History". noelhodda.com.
  26. ^ "Plays By Noel Hodda". Janus Imprint.
  27. ^ "Manda - A work in progress reading of a new play by Noel Hodda starring Maggie Blinco". Actors Benevolent Fund. 2025.
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