Harold Kissin

Harold Kissin ran coffee bars, theatres and transport companies, and performed on stage and screen. From 1974 to 1981 he was a key force behind Auckland's New Independent Theatre, alongside acting roles on pioneering Kiwi soap Close to Home, and classic series Winners & Losers. His acting career continued after he moved to Australia in 1982. Kissin passed away on 8 September 2004.      Image credit: Joel Kissin

Harold's philosophy was that there should be a place where any hopeful (and hopefully talented) director or performer would have a chance to show their mettle ...[Harold] was the driving force behind all this for the first eight years — it was his creation. He had virtually given up his job for it... Robert Leek on Auckland's New Independent Theatre