About Mary Coustas
Mary Coustas is a writer/performer who is well known for her role in Wogs Out of Work and for her character Effie in the high rating TV sitcom Acropolis Now – for which she won a Best Comedy Performer Logie award.
Returning to the stage, she went on to play to full houses in the record-breaking theatrical shows Wog A Rama and her one-woman show Waiting for Effie, which toured nationally. She then joined the cast of Sylvia for Sydney Theatre Company, gaining high praise for her outstanding portrayal of a dog.
Mary’s other TV Credits include Skirts, Wildside, Grass Roots, The Secret Life of Us and recently Rake 2. She earned herself an AFI Nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Mull and appeared in Nirvana Street Murder and Hercules Returns.
She has written for and performed in her TV show Greeks on The Roof , based on her character Effie’s family home TV Studio.
As Effie has so much to say, Mary allowed her to write a book: Effie’s Guide To Being Up Yourself – which has been published and acclaimed for tackling youth self-esteem.
Mary’s desire to become a mother resulted in a remarkable heart-wrenching story that touched the hearts of a nation.
In 2013 Allen and Unwin published her deeply personal memoir All I Know. A five-page extract appeared in The Good Weekend magazine followed by two stories on 60 Minutes.
After wowing audiences with her stage show A Date With Effie, the Greek Goddess launched her spectacular one-woman show Effie The Virgin Bride in 2016 at The Comedy Theatre and toured nationally in 2016 as well as an encore national tour in 2017.
Loving being back on stage, Mary has joined forces with Nick Giannopoulos and Sooshi Mango to perform a new stage show Star Wogs – now touring nationally.
Mary is about to launch her new stage show Love Me Tinder in May.
Twitter: @marycoustas1
LETTER TO STEVIE
Great Expectation
Acropolis Now & Being 'Effie'
60 Minutes
LETTER TO STEVIE
Showreel: Mary Coustas
Great Expectation
Showreel: Mary Coustas
Acropolis Now & Being 'Effie'
Showreel: Mary Coustas
60 Minutes
Showreel: Mary Coustas
Films
| DATE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 2000 | The Magic Pudding - Ginger the bush mouse | 1993 | Hercules Returns - Lisa |
| 1988 | Nirvana Street Murder - Helen |
| 1987 | Mull - Helen |
Television
| DATE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 2014-2015 | The Grill - Today Show |
| 2012 | Rake - ABC TV |
| 2005 | MTV Awards - Ch 10 |
| 2003 | Greeks On The Roof - Ch 7 |
| 2002 | Secret Life Of Us - Ch 10 Regular role: Peace |
| 2002 | Grass Roots - ABC TV Regular role: Ava |
| 2001 | Effie Just Quietly - TV series |
| 2001 | Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Logie Award Winners Special |
| 2001 | The Ties That Bind – Documentary shot in Greece |
| 2001 | Eurovision Song Contest - Australian Host |
| 2000 | Water Rats - Ch 9 Guest role: Hilary |
| 1999 | Wildside - ABC TV Regular role: Louise |
| 1998 | Australian Film Institute Awards - Host |
| 1997 | Good Guys, Bad Guys - Ch 9 Role: Madonna |
| 1996 | Comic Relief - Shot in Ethiopia |
| 1996 | Big Hair Woman - TV documentary shot in Papua New Guinea |
| 1994 | Effie A-Broad - Mockumentary series shot in New York and Los Angeles |
| 1994 | Just For Laughs - Host |
| 1993 | The Norman Gunston Show - Guest host |
| 1990-1991 | Skirts - Role: Julie |
| 1988-1992 | Acropolis Now - Role: Effie (Also co-writer) |
TVC
| DATE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 2006 | MYER - National campaign |
| 2004 | AAPT - National Campaign |
Stage
| DATE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 2018-2019 | Star Wogs - National tour Roles: Effie, Mary and Vasili |
| 2017 | Effie The Virgin Bride - Encore national tour |
| 2015-2016 | Effie The Virgin Bride - National Tour |
| 2014-2015 | A Date With Effie - Melbourne & Sydney Comedy Festivals |
| 2013 | A Date With Effie - National |
| 2008 | Show Us Your Roots – Canberra Multicultural Festival |
| 1998 | Sylvia - MTC The Wharf, Sydney Role: Sylvia |
| 1997 | Effie X-posed - Melbourne season Role: various. |
| 1996 | A Star Is Bored - Sydney season |
| 1993-1995 | Wogarama - National tour Role: various (Co-writer) |
| 1992 | Waiting For Effie - National tour Role: various. (Writer) |
| 1990 | Acropolis Now Live - National tour Role: Effie (Co-writer) |
| 1988-1990 | Wogs Out Of Work - National tour Role: various (Co-writer) |
| 1988 | Who Are You? -Handspan Theatre Company Role: Angela (Co-writer) |
| 1987 | A Change Of Face - Handspan Theatre Company Role: Angela |
Awards & Training
| DATE | DESCRIPTION | INSTITUTION |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Hellenic Distinction Arts Award | |
| 1993 | TV LOGIE Award - Most Popular Comedy Personality | TV LOGIE Awards |
| 1993 | Most Popular Comedy Performer | Variety Heart Awards |
| 1987 | Best Supporting Actress Nominee - Mull | AFI Awards |
| 1983-1986 | Bachelor of Arts Degree | Deakin University |
| Major - Performing Arts | ||
| Sub-major - Journalism | ||
Publications
| DATE | DESCRIPTION | PUBLISHER |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | All I Know - Mary Coustas | Allen & Unwin |
| 2003 | Effie’s Guide To Being Up Yourself - Mary Coustas aka Effie | Hodda Headline |
CORPORATE
For over 3 decades Mary has entertained and inspired the top corporate, financial, political, sporting and cultural communities. Whether the events are big or small, public or private Mary’s experience, warmth and humour has kept her in huge demand.
Mary’s performing career and personal challenges have cemented her in the eye of the public as an authentic and admired agent of change. Whether the issue is race, diversity, gender, class, leadership, motherhood or politics, Mary is able to tackle life’s difficult complicated issues in an illuminating and motivational way.
Mary’s special gift is seeing possibility in everything and everyone. Her ability to articulate that in an impactful, funny and memorable way is what sets her apart.
- Entertainer
- Interviewer
- Social commentator
- Debater
- Moderator
- Master of Ceremonies
- Entertainer
- Keynote speaker
- Empowerment
- Motivational
- Overcoming Adversity
- Identity/Diversity
- Modern Day Woman
- Master of Ceremonies
- Creativity
Corporate
| EVENT | ROLE |
|---|---|
| Telstra Excelerate Awards | MC |
| Australian Institute of Company Directors | Keynote speaker |
| NAB Agribusiness Women’s Luncheon | Keynote speaker |
| Australian College of Midwives Conference | Keynote speaker |
| Bidvest Conference - Fiji | Keynote speaker |
| Pink Ribbon Breakfast | Keynote speaker |
| Princeton Pharmaceutical Ball | Mary/Effie MC/Comedy spot |
| Red Cross Ribbon Committee | Keynote speaker |
| Rotary Club Darwin – Ladies Long Lunch | Keynote speaker |
| Health Tourism – London & Sydney | Keynote speaker & host |
| Interrelate Conference | Keynote speaker |
| NAB Agribusiness Women’s Luncheon | Keynote speaker |
| GABI – Women’s Leadership Luncheon | MC |
| Fertility Nurses Australia | Keynote speaker |
| Mum’s Society Luncheon | Keynote speaker |
| Methodist Ladies’ College | Keynote speaker |
| Worklink Stress Less Day | Keynote speaker |
| International Women’s Day | Keynote speaker |
| G’Day USA – Los Angeles | Speaker |
| David Jones’ At The Table series | Speaker |
| AAA National Airport Industry Award Dinner | MC |
Feedback
| EVENT | ROLE |
|---|---|
| Guy Cooper Chief Executive Taronga Zoo fundraiser |
Dear Mary A note to say how fabulous I thought “Effie” was the other night!!!!!!!!!! She displayed wonderful sensitivity and touch in hitting all the right buttons and ensuring the event was both enjoyable and successful in its endeavours! Truly – couldn’t have been better and the feedback has been terrific about how she contributed to the outcome. |
| Rosa Storelli Principal MLC |
You were a wild success with our students and staffwho were inspired by the messages you presented to them. |
| Madeleine Wilson Publicity Manager David Jones Limited |
I am just writing to say the biggest thanks to Mary for being a part of our 'At the Table' series on Monday. Mary was absolutely fantastic and shared her stories with such honesty and warmth and had everyone mesmerized with her strength and humour that she has displayed in times of such sorrow and struggle. We really loved working with Mary and hope to do more with her in the future. |
| Dr. Terri Piccioli President Red Cross Red Ribbon Committee |
Dear Mary Just wanted to thank you, on behalf of the Red Ribbon Committee, once again, for giving and Hi Effie and Mary. We thank you both for giving us the honor to be with us. You mastered the event with such an impressive appearance. It was beyond expectation and all guests enjoyed it so much. Dedicating your time to deliver an inspiring speech for our Red Cross Function at the Gavs. You moved us all and how much you have taught us! |
| Leanne Burkhardt Managing Consultant www.icmi.com.au |
Mary Coustas as an Emcee started the morning drawing the audience in touching on the ever-current issue of women’s health – breast cancer in particular. She had the attendees in the palm of her hand!! After helping other speakers through their session (each one was in tears!) it was Mary’s turn and did she deliver? It was her turn to tell her story and it was told from the heart, it was emotional, it was powerful – she was fantastic. She received a standing ovation! PROFESSIONAL, SINCERE, HONEST!! |
| PETER JACK Director EMG Events |
Mary you are awesome and an absolute delight to work with and we will recommend you to as many clients as possible. Thank you for last night your ability to weave our messaging into a thoughtful considered level of humour was amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you! |
| Cheryl Cecchetto Producer G’Day USA, The Oscars & Governors Ball |
Dear Mary, I wanted to send you a personal note to express what a pleasure it was to have met you, and how wonderful it was to add your incredible talent and contribution to this year’s event. Thank you! |