Abigail (actress)

Film and television

She is best known for her roles in several prominent Australian TV soap operas, where she became known simply as ‘Abigail‘. She first became well known in Number 96, as an original cast member and as artist's model Bev Houghton, with her character providing fleeting nude glimpses. She became Australia's undisputed sex symbol of the early 1970s through the role. She was written out of the series after a dispute, although initially the media reported that she had left to appear in a movie in 1973. The character was re-cast with Victoria Raymond assuming the role. Abigail did however return to the soap in 1976 as the character of Eve.

During this period Abigail appeared in a series of brief cameo roles in a string of sex comedy films such as Alvin Purple (1973), and its 1974 sequel Alvin Rides Again. In 1974, Abigail would perform a striptease in the burlesque comedy "The Legend of San Peel" in The Barrel Theatre, a well-known strip palace in Kings Cross,^[4] while struggling to find serious acting jobs.

In 1975, she appeared in Class of '75 as a prim French Senior Mistress. Also in 1975 she played Esmerelda in The True Story of Eskimo Nell and in 1976 appeared in another bawdy comedy Eliza Fraser.^[4]

Abigail returned to Number 96 in November 1976. Her new character, the oft-divorced Eve, would potentially appear in a spinoff series, Fair Game, with Elaine Lee and Lynette Curran. It did not eventuate, although the completed pilot was divided up to create segments of three episodes of Number 96 (Episodes 1079–1081).^[5]

Abigail appeared in a recurring sketch in The Norman Gunston Show called "The Checkout Chicks". This sketch, a send-up of melodramatic soap operas set in a supermarket, mostly featured other former Number 96 actresses. The show was cancelled in July 1977. Around the same time, she appeared in Glenview High. In 1977, Abigail appeared in The Young Doctors as super-efficient secretary Hilary Templeton. Also in 1977 she had a cameo role in the film Summer City, which is notable for being the first to have Mel Gibson in a major role.

In 1984 Abigail appeared in Melvin, Son of Alvin. In 1985, she scored a regular role in another soap opera Sons and Daughters, playing Caroline ‘The Cat’ Morrell, a role for which she became well known, and continued in until the series ended in 1987.

In 1988, she appeared in the film Breaking Loose, followed by a co-starring role in Elly & Jools playing Country & Western singer wannabe, Dulcie Dickson. In 1990 she appeared in Sher Mountain Killings Mystery followed by roles in soap operas Family and Friends and Neighbours. She then appeared in Chances as Bambi Shute, the host of a TV sex show, for most of 1992.

Theatre

Abigail had some success in the theatre, specialising in comedy roles. She toured New South Wales and Queensland with the stage farce A Bedfull of Foreigners in 1983.^[6][7]

Film

Television

Television (as self)

Singles

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Album

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