Australia is renowned for its Barrys.
There’s the legendary comedy genius Barry Humphries, his creation Barry McKenzie – linked forever with the ever-present & very tall crooner Barry Crocker. Then there’s actor Barry Otto, AFL star Barry Hall, and respected opera singer Barry Ryan. Oh and Politician and early quiz master Barry Jones…. and then there is Barry Creyton.
Known to any baby boomer for his prominence as a significant member of the hit mid 1960’s Channel Seven prime time TV series The Mavis Bramston Show – Barry Creyton has had an extraordinary career as a polymath – actor, TV star, satirist, playwright, director, author and novelist – whether it be in front of audiences or behind the scenes.
At the grand age of 86, Barry Creyton continues to be a highly creative, active writer – now with the publication of his revealing memoir, Beyond Togetherness – A Life.
The book spans Barry’s extraordinary career and personal life, from his early days in Brisbane through the heady theatre and TV days of the 1960s, to his move to London and immersion in the theatre world there, and later in the USA.
In between, Barry continued to return to Australia, making multiple TV appearances, including The Mike Walsh Midday Show and Graham Kennedy’s Blankety Blanks, as well as numerous successful theatre engagements.
It was – and still is – Barry’s dedication to theatre and writing – be it plays, novels and recently film scripts – that has sustained his creative output.
One of his many plays – Double Act – has been translated into multiple languages and continues to be staged all over the world.
Living in the USA these past 36 odd years has kept Barry out of the spotlight in Australia.
The publication of the memoir – Beyond Togetherness – A Life – is about to change that.
Due for publication in March 2026, the book chronicles the life span of one of Australia’s most extraordinary Barrys.
In the Foreword to the book, by close friend and fellow thespian Noeline Brown remarks – “I have been trying to convince Barry Creyton to write his memoir for years and at long last he has done so.”
Noeline goes on to say, “Barry’s memoir is full of wonderful anecdotes involving many stellar performers, whose names you will know, but it is more than that. It is a warm and honest account of the life of a tremendously talented and generous person who has close friends all over the world. I am thrilled to be one of them.”
Another close friend, actor Simon Burke AO, says “Barry Creyton steps us through his wonderful life with his customary eloquence and brutal honesty – sparing no detail, taking no prisoners. This is a book about a lifetime spent doing what you love, but what shines through most is that he was born to do this – and born to tell us about it.”
Indeed.
As Barry says in his Preface to the book –
“It’s meant to comfort us when well-meaning people say that age is just a number. Being advised that one’s friends are ageing at the same rate is meant to soothe us, but I’ve reached an age where I’m afraid to invite contemporaries to lunch in case they don’t make it through dessert.
What better time to write a memoir?
Some names have been changed to protect the innocent. Others have been stated clearly to expose the motherfuckers.”
Best-selling author, screenwriter and playwright Samuel Garza Bernstein sums it up perfectly…
“That Barry Creyton’s contributions to Australian television and theatre are legendary is not opinion. It is fact.
And his exploits across many decades and several continents are fascinating.”
So if you’re not fully aware of just who this Barry is, you’re about to find out.
Barry Creyton
Beyond Togetherness – A Life
Published by ORiGiN Imprint
Publication date March 12th 2026
