In 1965 Wherrett moved to
London and worked with the
East 15 Acting School in
Loughton,
Essex. He also directed at the
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, the
Lincoln Theatre Royal and
Lancaster University.
Old Tote Theatre Company He moved back in Australia in 1970, and worked for the ABC in South Australia, before becoming an assistant on
King Oedipus and assistant director on
Major Barbara, both for the
Old Tote Theatre. Soon after, he was appointed associate director to
Robin Lovejoy, as well as artistic director of the
Australian Theatre for Young People. His tenure was short-lived, and he ultimately returned to London for a spell, teaching again at
East 15. He also directed the world premiere of
Summer of the Seventeenth Doll for the
Victorian State Opera and
Opera Australia. His last major production was the
Johnny O'Keefe musical
Shout! The Legend of the Wild One, which toured interstate. Wherett was the creative director for the lighting of the torch segment of the Opening Ceremony for the
2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. From 1985 to 1988 Wherrett was a member of the Australia Council's Performing Arts Board. In 1992 Wherrett became artistic director of the
Melbourne International Arts Festival, but resigned after producing only two festivals.
Film Wherrett's only feature film was musical comedy ''
Billy's Holiday. He also directed two short films – The Girl Who Met Simone de Beauvoir in Paris
and The Applicant
(1981), and ABC TV play, The Girl from Moonooloo'', with
Jacki Weaver (1982).
Publications In 1997 Wherrett and his brother Peter co-wrote the autobiographal memoir
Desirelines: An Unusual Family Memoir. His own autobiography,
The Floor of Heaven (2000) was dedicated to
Jacki Weaver. He also wrote
Mardi Gras! From Frock Up to Lock Up (1999). ==Directing==