Dennis Hans Olsen AM (born 28 February 1938) is an Australian singer, actor, director and pianist. He is best known as an exponent of the "patter" roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operas.At first trained as a pianist, Olsen soon switched to acting, beginning his career with Australian theatre companies in the 1960s. After success with Opera Australia, Olsen briefly joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. He returned to Australia in 1971 playing in theatre as well as Gilbert and Sullivan over the next four decades. He also directed sang Noël Coward songs in his cabaret act and acted in films, television and radio.
He was awarded the A.M. (Member of the Order of Australia) in the 1987 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to the Performing Arts.
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Has sung on the recording "Gilbert and Sullivan Highlights" with Thomas Edmonds, and on the recording "Together With Music" with June Bronhill.
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Dennis Olsen trained at NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Arts). Fellow students, at NIDA at the same time as Dennis Olsen, included well-known actors, Colin Friels, Judy Davis and Mel Gibson.
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Dennis Olsen toured Australia in two acclaimed one-man shows on stage. The first of these was "A Song to Sing O" (based on the life of Gilbert and Sullivan pioneer performer and comic lead, George Grossmith). The second was in "Dennis Olsen in Concert" (where Dennis Olsen performed both the comic roles from Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and Noel Coward songs, and others).
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An acclaimed actor, singer and pianist, Dennis Olsen is well-known for his comic roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and it was in this capacity that Dennis Olsen was a member of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company for a year. He is also well-known as a theatre director of opera and operetta. In 1987, Dennis Olsen was made an AO (Officer of the Order of Australia) for his services to the performing arts.
$100,000
