Michael Keating

Stephen Spettigue

In 1964 at the age of 17 Michael gained a place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama graduating in 1966. His first professional job as an actor was at Nottingham Playhouse under the directorship of the classical actor John Neville and after working for two and a half years at Nottingham Michael then played in numerous theatres up and down the United Kingdom including the Library Theatre, Manchester, Pitlochry Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh and the Lyric Theatre, Belfast and theatres both repertory and touring in England.

In 1972 the most important production was the birth of his daughter Lisa whilst doing a matinee of the pantomime Dick Whittington.

In 1974 Michael joined the National Theatre at the Old Vic and in 1976 was in the opening season of the National Theatre on the South Bank appearing in Hamlet with Albert Finney, Tamburlaine, Plunder and Playboy of the Western World with Steven Rea. After leaving the National in 1977 Michael appeared in popular BBC Sci Fi series Blakes Seven for four seasons.

In 1985 he created the role of Marty at the Phoenix Theatre in the West End in the play with music about Elvis Presley called Are You Lonesome Tonight starring Martin Shaw as Elvis.

Recent favourite parts in the theatre include Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge, Jack in David Storey’s Home, Antonio in The Merchant of Venice and Robert in David Auburn’s play Proof which he appeared here in Vienna in 2002 and had a most enjoyable time.