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Stephen Tate
Stephen Tate
Stephen Tate
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Stephen Tate is a British actor and musical theatre artist.

Career

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Television

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He is possibly best known for his recurring role as Alan in the 1970s television drama Survivors and as Dick Meyer in the 1980s comedy drama Big Deal alongside Ray Brooks.

His other credits include Z-Cars, The Onedin Line, Blake's 7, Yes Minister, The Black Adder, Dear John, Boon, The Bill, Minder, Cardiac Arrest, Silent Witness and Emmerdale. He played Monsieur Fauchlevant in the 2012 film version of Les Misérables

Musical theatre

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Tate has had a distinguished career in London's West End:

Tate portrayed Babet in Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary. He also starred as Jesus Christ in the Christian band and DVD "Hero".

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1990 Peter in Magicland The Gingerbread Man
2010 Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary Babet
2012 Les Misérables Fauchelevent

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1975 You're on Your Own Det. Con. Brown Episode: "Value for Money"
1975 Private Affairs Cantoni Episode: "Caesar and Claretta"
1976 Z-Cars Det. Sgt. Smith Episode: "Ringers"
1976 Survivors Alan 4 episodes
1976 The Crezz Arthur Episode: "Fire Down Below"
1978 Blake's 7 Mandrian Episode: "Mission to Destiny"
1978 Going Straight Canadian Tourist Episode: "Going to Work"
1979 Emmerdale Eric Dawtrey 5 episodes
1980 Sweet Nothings Kershaw Episode #1.1
1980 The Onedin Line Makepiece Episode: "Blood Lines"
1980 A Little Silver Trumpet Ned 2 episodes
1981 Yes Minister Billy Fraser Episode: "The Compassionate Society"
1983 Icebound in the Antarctic Leonard Hussey 2 episodes
1983 Blackadder Lord Chiswick Episode: "The Queen of Spain's Beard"
1984–1986 Big Deal Dick Mayer 25 episodes
1986 A Dangerous Kind of Love Coolidge Television film
1987 Dear John Skab Episode: "Kate Returns"
1988 Floodtide Ray Palmer 2 episodes
1988 Boon Alan Clark Episode: "Have a Nice Day"
1989 Joint Account Mr. Tooley Episode #1.1
1989–1993 The Bill Michael Lovett / Dr. Alan Haycraft 4 episodes
1990 T-Bag Mark Question Episode: "Mutiny!"
1990 The Chief Det. Supt. Brian Kale 3 episodes
1991 Perfect Scoundrels Inky 2 episodes
1993, 1995 Casualty Nick Carson / Paul Fisher
1994 Minder Fitzgibbon Episode: "Bring Me the Head of Arthur Daley"
1994 Cardiac Arrest Mr. Edwards Episode: "Turning out the Light"
1994 Wycliffe Sid Passmore Episode: "The Scapegoat"
1996 Kavanagh QC Patrick Bennett Episode: "Men of Substance"
1996 Bramwell Harry Episode #2.1
2015–2016 Last Road Trevor 3 episodes
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Stephen Tate

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Stephen Tate is a British and performer best known for originating the role of in the 1972 London production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's and for his recurring television role as Alan in the post-apocalyptic drama Survivors (1975–1976). Trained as a classical dancer, Tate began his professional career in the late after studying at the Royal Ballet School and performing with Company and Ballet. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Tate established himself in London's West End with prominent roles in major musicals, including Gus the Theatre Cat in Cats (1981) and various characters in productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. His theatre work also extended to originating Gregory in and other acclaimed shows, contributing to a career spanning over four decades by the . On television, he appeared in guest roles across popular British series, such as Mandrian in (1978), Dick Meyer in Big Deal (1984), and Lord Chiswick in The Black Adder (1983), alongside later credits in shows like Bramwell (1996) and (1994). In film, Tate portrayed Fauchelevent in the 2012 adaptation of , directed by , following his stage involvement with the musical, including the role of Babet in the 1995 10th Anniversary Concert and the 2010 25th Anniversary Concert. Beyond performing, he has directed, founding the Dramatic Change Theatre Company in , , where he resided for 18 years before moving to .

Early life and education

Early years

Stephen Tate developed an early interest in through , serving as a during his childhood. At the age of fifteen, he enrolled in training at the Royal Ballet School, where he honed his skills in classical dance. Upon completing his studies, Tate joined the Royal Opera Ballet before advancing to Company at , performing as a dancer for two years. This formative period in provided a strong foundation in movement and stage presence that would influence his transition to .

Training

Stephen Tate began his formal training in classical dance at the age of fifteen, enrolling at the School in . There, he developed a strong foundation in , which prepared him for professional opportunities in the dance world. His early exposure to performance also included singing as a , fostering an initial interest in music and the arts. Following his time at the Royal Ballet School, Tate progressed to the Royal Opera Ballet and subsequently joined the Company at , where he performed as a classical dancer for two years. This period marked his entry into professional dance, emphasizing rigorous discipline in repertoire from the classical canon. Although he initially pursued a career in ballet—"Funnily enough I didn’t actually start out in , but as a classical dancer with the Company"—his training laid the groundwork for his later transition to and . By the late , Tate began incorporating dance into West End musicals, building on his ballet expertise.

Career

Musical theatre

Stephen Tate began his musical theatre career as a child performer, originating the role of in the London premiere of at the Palace Theatre in 1972, when he was just nine years old. This early breakthrough came after his training as a classical dancer at the Royal Ballet School and initial work with the Royal Opera Ballet, where he transitioned into musicals through dance roles in productions like Charlie Girl and Phil the Fluter. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Tate established himself in the West End with versatile character roles that showcased his singing, acting, and movement skills. In 1976, he portrayed Gregory Gardner in the London production of A Chorus Line at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, contributing to the show's long run. He followed this with the role of Asparagus in the original West End cast of Cats in 1981 at the New London Theatre, also performing as Gus the Theatre Cat and the pirate Growltiger in the production's narrative segments. In 1983, Tate created the character of Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) in the premiere of Blondel at the Aldwych Theatre, earning praise for his comedic timing in the historical musical comedy. Tate's career in the 1980s and beyond included significant turns in major revivals and adaptations. He took part in the original London production of at the Barbican Theatre starting in 1985, and later played Thénardier (replacement) in the West End production at the Palace Theatre from November 2001 to June 2005. He also appeared as Babet in the 1995 : The 10th Anniversary Concert and the 2010 in Concert: The 25th Anniversary at the . In 2007, he appeared as Jacob, Potiphar, and the Guru in the revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the . Tate's work often highlighted his ability to blend physicality from his background with vocal demands, contributing to long-running hits that defined British stage entertainment.

Television

Stephen Tate's television career began in the early 1970s with minor guest roles in British series, including appearances as a young character named Eric Dawtrey in Emmerdale (1979) and in episodes of (1976). These early parts established him in the industry, showcasing his versatility in dramatic and formats. A significant breakthrough came in 1976 when Tate portrayed Alan, a resourceful teenager navigating life after a global pandemic, in four episodes of the post-apocalyptic drama Survivors during its second series. His performance as part of a youthful group of survivors added energy to the show's ensemble, contributing to its cult status as a seminal work in dystopian television. In the 1980s, Tate took on a more prominent recurring role as Dick Meyer, a street-smart associate, in the ITV comedy-drama Big Deal (1984–1986), appearing alongside Ray Brooks in storylines centered on London's gambling underworld. This series highlighted his ability to blend humor with tension, marking a shift toward character-driven roles in popular primetime programming. Tate maintained a steady presence on British television through the late 20th and early 21st centuries with guest spots in acclaimed shows, such as Blake's 7 (1978), Yes Minister (1983), The Black Adder (1983), Minder (1990), The Bill (1991–2000s), Cardiac Arrest (1994), Silent Witness (1996), and Emmerdale (2004). These roles, often as supporting characters in procedural and comedy genres, underscored his reliability as a character actor across decades of BBC and ITV productions.

Film and television

Film roles

Tate's film career is relatively modest compared to his extensive work in theatre and television, with appearances primarily in musical adaptations and animated features. His earliest credited film role came in the 1990 animated fantasy Peter in Magicland, where he provided the voice for the , a whimsical character aiding the young protagonist in a magical adventure. In 2010, Tate portrayed Babet, one of the principal Thenardier gang members, in the filmed concert production in Concert: The 25th Anniversary, recorded live at London's to celebrate the musical's milestone. This performance captured the ensemble's rendition of key numbers like "Attack on Rue Plumet," showcasing Tate's vocal prowess in the role he had previously played on stage. Tate's most notable screen appearance arrived in 2012 with Tom Hooper's film adaptation of , in which he played Fauchelevent, the convict who aids Cosette's adoptive father in securing work at a . Though a supporting role, it marked his involvement in the Academy Award-winning production, contributing to the film's ensemble depiction of Victor Hugo's novel.

Television roles

Tate's television career began in the with guest appearances in established British series, gradually progressing to recurring roles in drama and comedy productions. His early work included portraying Det. Sgt. Smith in an episode of (1972) and Makepiece in (1973). He also appeared as Eric Dawtrey in the (1975). One of his most notable early recurring roles was as Alan, a youthful member of a survivor group, in four episodes of the second series of the post-apocalyptic drama Survivors (1976), including "New Arrivals," "New World," "Over the Hills," and "By Bread Alone." This role highlighted his ability to convey vulnerability and resilience in a dystopian setting. In 1978, he guest-starred as Mandrian in the series Blake's 7. During the 1980s, Tate secured a prominent recurring part as Dick Mayer, a market trader and friend to the lead character, in the comedy-drama Big Deal (1984–1986), appearing across multiple episodes alongside Ray Brooks. He also played Lord Chiswick in the pilot episode of the historical comedy (1983) and Fitzgibbon in an episode of (1984). Other credits from this period include Leonard Hussey in the miniseries Icebound in the Antarctic (1983), based on the Shackleton expedition, and Billy Fraser in (1980). Tate continued with diverse guest roles in the late 1980s and 1990s, such as Skab in the sitcom Dear John (1986), Nick Carson in Casualty (1986), and Mr. Tooley in Joint Account (1989). In 1990, he portrayed Inky in the crime series Perfect Scoundrels and Det. Supt. Brian Kale in The Chief. His work in medical dramas included Sid Passmore in Wycliffe (1993) and Mr. Edwards in Cardiac Arrest (1994). Later appearances featured Patrick Bennett in Kavanagh Q.C. (1995) and Harry in Bramwell (1995–1996).
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