Biography
Keith began his career as a child tap dancer. He made his first stage appearance in pantomime whilst still a boy. He later joined an acrobatic act touring Australia and New Zealand, incorporating comedy into his routines. He spent his formative years honing his abilities as a comedian/compere in night clubs, in both Sydney and Melbourne.
In 1952, Petersen joined the cast of "Ice Parade", where he worked alongside 'The Kermond Brothers' (Tibby and Normie), as well as Enzo Toppano and Peggy Mortimer. Petersen appeared in the Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne seasons of the show, for which he learnt to ice skate. During this period, he also played 'Buttons' for matinee performances, presented by the same company, in "Cinderella on Ice".
He was cast in the 1953/4 celebrated Tivoli circuit production - "Thanks for the Memory". Devised by renowned producer/director Harry Wren, Petersen worked alongside legendary names such as George Wallace (Snr), Jim Gerald, and Queenie Paul.
Petersen was part of the original Australian cast of the musical "The Pajama Game", produced by J. C. Williamson, for the Australian tour of 1957/58. He co-starred alongside Toni Lamond, Jill Perryman, and Ron Shand. He also appeared in the Melbourne and Sydney seasons of "Once Upon a Mattress" with Gloria Dawn and Sheila Bradley respectively. In the following 4 years, Petersen returned to variety and toured in productions shows including "Many Happy Returns" and "Yellzapoppin". Both shows were performed in Tivoli Theatres nationally with a stellar line-up including Gladys Moncrieff, Jenny Howard, and George Wallace (Jnr).
In 1963 Petersen appeared in the Australian production of the Cy Coleman musical "Wildcat", alongside Toni Lamond and Gordon Boyd. Three years later he starred in the Neil Simon comedy, "The Odd Couple", for both Melbourne and Sydney seasons.
Throughout the 60's, he was the resident comedian at the Sundowner Hotel, where he worked with Gloria Dawn and Frank Cleary. He also performed extensively on the NSW club circuit.
In 1966 he appeared in the film "They're a Weird Mob".
In 1967, Petersen announced he was 'Bringing Variety Back' with the opening of the "West Side Theatre Restaurant" in Sydney's inner-city suburb of Marrickville. Sadly, the venture failed.
In a newspaper interview he said, "I'm the manager and the leading actor". The interviewer wasn't convinced about the location - Marrickville? Implying: working class, migrant, Marrickville?
Petersen, however, was adamant that the people of Marrickville wanted variety entertainment as much as the people of Neutral Bay or Woollahra. Advertisements describe it as "the largest and most lavish theatre restaurant in the country", and also "the only restaurant with full dancing facilities".
The article also included details that Petersen, as a hobby, kept a pig farm near Campbelltown. However, he'd been so busy setting up the 'West Side', he'd spent much less time with his pigs. "And that's a pity," he said, "because my pigs are my relaxation."
In 1970 Petersen mounted a production of the pantomime "Dick Whittington" which starred his wife Lynette Keavney and a young performer named Johnny Farnham, who starred as Dick!
In 1971, Keith sadly passed away, in Campbelltown.
