Robert Locke

Favorite Roles...

as an actor

Hamlet – Hamlet by William Shakespear

Locke is a talented actor who exquisitely conveys those qualities of the alleged mad Dane— indecisiveness, gentleness, trustfulness, grossness, cruelty and kindness. He is the play... He moves like a ballet dancer, uses his eyes and hands almost like instruments in an orchestra and conveys the gentleness of a lamb by just the merest drop of his voice. This is cheating, however, because to capture the fullness of his Hamlet, one must see it.

Chico Enterprise Record

Sidney Bruhl – Deathtrap by Ira Levin

The fire under this boiling pot has to come from the cast. And here it's a cast of winners. Robert Locke, a playwright himself (The Dolly, Rose Jewel and Harmony) brings special insights to a compelling performance as Sidney.

Sacamento Bee

Herb – I Ought to be in Pictures by Neil Simon

Superb! Locke once again displays his profound acting skills. His portrayal displays a keen understanding of and sensitivity to Herb's basic insecurity and frustration. Herb's carefree attitude is at times tinged with a sadness that gives us some insight to his fears and makes us aware of a certain longing. His transition from runaway father to caring parent is funny and heartwarming.

Sacramento Bee

Dennis – Murder and Edna Redrum by Robert Locke

Locke, a published novelist and author of the drama The Dolly, produced by San Francisco's American Conservatory Theatre in 1984, is after pure entertainment this time out, with a surprise-laden crime story that advances its genre and spoofs it. That is, it spoofs itself in the process of unfolding a tale rampant with bloody greed, sordid sex and, above all, wordplay... Also an actor (appearing for the first time here in one of his own works) the author takes the part of Dennis (Dennis and Edna sinned!-also a palindrome) a layabout ornithologist... Well-acted by an ensemble cast, this production by the Gateway Players is spirited and engaging.

Sacramento Bee

Zeke – Premiere by Robert Locke

Even at its most heartwrenching, Premiere revels in play. Just as we've heard the director's anguish over a male lover lost to AIDS, Locke switches into playwright mood and decides to kill off his main character's lesbian mate with breast cancer - 'a hot lesbian topic right now.' Cynical? You bet. But Locke cleverly turns the humor in on himself as he plays the playwright-director playing at being a playwright-director and grinding anguish into neat patties of popular entertainment.

Sacramento Bee

Dick Christie – Play It Again, Sam by Woody Allen

Locke makes the most of his role as the stuffed-shirt loony who shares a symbiotic relation with his answering service—especially in the fantasy scenes with Felix where he plays a cuckolded husband who is first terribly civilized about it all, then dreadfully hurt and, finally, bursting with Sicilian outrage.

Sacramento Bee

Thomas Diafoirus – Imaginary Invalid by Moliere

The production brightened at the entrance of the husband-to-be Dr. Thomas Diafoirus (Bob Locke). It was in this scene, where the dim-wit doctor meets his bride-to-be that the play got its first real laughs. Locke played his part to the hilt and the audience loved it.

Chico Enterprise Record

Other Roles

Macbeth – Macbeth – no review
Antony – Antony and Cleopatra – no review
Hector – Troilus and Cressida – no review
Alcibiades – Timon of Athens – no review
Henry – Lion in Winter – no review
Harold – Happy Birthday, Wanda June! – no review

Acting Scholarships

Oregon Shakespearean Festival
White Oaks Musical Theatre
Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts

See photos in Rogues Gallery

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