David Scheel

 

 

David Scheel was born in Australia, to an English father and Russian-Jewish mother, and studied at the University Adelaide, gaining an Honours degree in languages and a concert diploma on the piano. However, coming from a theatrical family theatre was David’s first love, and after a short stint on stage, in films and on television, he decided - like so many before him - to try his luck in England, moving there in 1982. The gamble was so successful it would keep David away from his home soil for 12 years.

In the U.K. David’s work ranged across a broad spectrum, from pantomimes with the likes of Norman Wisdom, to radio and TV appearances, including the long-running series, Bergerac. He also worked with the National Theatre, in addition to co-translating that company’s production of Jean Giraudoux’s Voyage of Captain Cook, which received its world premiere in 1983.

However, it was the success of his solo classical piano and comedy recitals in the mid 1980s which was to catapult David into the front ranks, firmly establishing his reputation as the most original musical humorist of his generation.

West End offers soon followed, including the lead in the musical, Stepping Out, and top-rating telelvision and radio series such as Stop the Week and Garden Party, on both of which David was a regular guest. As a cabaret performer he also appeared with such artists as John Dankworth and Cleo Laine, Ben Elton and Eartha Kitt, as well

as a guest appearance with Jay Leno in Los Angeles. His work earned him a Variety Club of Great Britain award in

1988, and this was followed by 3 consecutive sell-out seasons at the Edinburgh Festival.

David returned to Australia in 1994 and since 1999 North America has figured regularly on his international touring schedule. Earlier this year he undertook his 7th tour to the USA, which sold out from San Francisco to Seattle, and he recently returned (November) from an equally successful tour of eastern Canada.

Away from performing David is an award-winning serious composer, and was the youngest Australian ever to be listed in The International Who’s Who in Music. He is also an ardent campaigner on wildlife and habitat conservation issues and has published numerous articles on the subject in leading scientific journals.