Colette Mann (born 17 February 1950) is an Australian actress, singer, TV and radio presenter, choreographer, writer and media personality, who has been in the entertainment industry for over 50 years. She is known for her roles in Prisoner (1979–1984) as Doreen May Anderson Burns, and Neighbours (2012–2022) as Sheila Canning.
Early life and education Mann was born in Melbourne, Victoria, and trained at a local Melbourne dancing school as a child until about 19 or 20. She then went to a professional dance school and trained under Betty Pounder, a choreographer for J. C. Williamson Theatre Ltd. She studied at Monash University from 1967 to 1970, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and history. While teaching at Williamstown High School, she successfully auditioned for Godspell, which continued its run for three years.
In 2001, Mann studied under Mark Rylance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. In 2023, she studied American accent at Brave Studios under Tyler Coppin.
Career
Film and television In her first high-profile role, Mann appeared in the Network Ten soap opera Prisoner as original cast member Doreen Burns, during the first four seasons (1979–1982). Mann resigned from the role in March 1982 to pursue new challenges. She told Jill Fraser of TV Week that she had a university degree she had never used, and she also wanted to try something in current affairs. Her final episode (episode 304) was broadcast in August 1982. In November 1983, she agreed to reprise the role for six weeks, despite having a contract with the Nine Network to appear on The Don Lane Show. Mann admitted that the opportunity was too good to turn down, as she really liked Doreen's return storyline. Her main reason for leaving the show in 1982 was unhappiness with her character's storylines. She also said she would be happy to return the following year for further guest stints.
Mann has appeared in The Flying Doctors, MDA and Blue Heelers. In 1988, she portrayed the role of Edith Fraser in the American television movie Outback Bound, which also starred American actors Donna Mills and John Schneider. From late 1995, she briefly took over the role of Cheryl Stark in the soap opera Neighbours for eight weeks when Caroline Gillmer was taken ill. From February 2012, Mann joined the cast of Neighbours again, this time as regular character Sheila Canning. In February 2022 she permanently left the show.
Mann appears in the 1983 film Kitty and the Bagman with two of her former Prisoner castmates, Val Lehman and Gerard Maguire. She later appeared in 2000 feature film The Dish, alongside Sam Neill and Tom Long.
She has also appeared for numerous Screen Star Events in the UK. In 2023 she appeared at the Screen Star 15 year event alongside Tammy MacIntosh and Jacquie Brennan.
In 2022, Mann revealed that she filmed a cameo alongside Val Lehman and Fiona Spence for the final episode of season 7 of Wentworth. The series at the time had not been formally renewed for its final season, and ultimately the scene did not go to air.
Mann has also been a presenter on numerous TV shows including Hey Hey It's Saturday, What's Cooking, Good Morning Australia and The Circle. She has been a fill-in presenter for Glenn Ridge on talk back radio MTR 1377. In July 2019, she appeared on Jeremy Vine in the UK.
She has appeared in television commercials for Bare Funerals and National Lottery UK.
Stage Mann was a member of the original Australian cast of Godspell in 1971. She performed the song "Turn Back, O'Man" in the production.
In the 1980s, Mann was part of a three-woman troupe called the Mini Busettes with fellow Prisoner actresses Jane Clifton and Betty Bobbitt. They performed for three seasons at Melbourne's Le Joke comedy venue and at many Sydney league clubs. After leaving Prisoner, Mann appeared in a production of On Our Selection with Garry McDonald.
Mann played the role of Buttercup in Opera Australia's production of HMS Pinafore by Gilbert and Sullivan in 2005. She then appeared on stage as Shirley, the battleaxe owner of Broken Hill pub, in Priscilla Queen of the Desert - the Musical in 2010.
In 2023, Mann joined the pantomime in the UK for Beauty and the Beast for its 2023 season.
Author Mann has written two books, It's a Mann's World (1990) and Give Me a Break (2002). She also writes for New Idea magazine as a feature writer about her family and sons.
Personal life Mann has two sons, Sam and Charlie. As she began her tenure on Neighbours in 2012, Mann's marriage broke down.
In 1996, Mann walked the Kokoda Track for A Current Affair, alongside fellow celebrities Dermott Brereton, Grant Kenny, Daryl Braithwaite, Angry Anderson and Dr. Kerryn Phelps.
Filmography
Film Year Title RoleType 1974 Between Wars Student in Revue Feature film 1982 Kitty and the Bagman Doris de Salle Feature film 2000 The Dish Betty the Bush Poet Feature film 2003 The House of Bulger Video of short segments 2009 Just Desserts Frances Film short 2013 By a Loved One Mother Film short 2014 Grace Under Water Toni Film short
Television Year Title Role Notes 1974 The Champion TV movie 1978 Cop Shop Chris 1 episode 1979–1984 Prisoner Doreen Anderson / Doreen Burns / Doreen Regular (seasons 1 & 4), recurring (seasons 5–6) 1979 The Franky Doyle Story Doreen Anderson TV movie 1981 Prisoner in Concert Doreen Burns TV special 1988 Always Afternoon Doreen Miniseries, 1 episode Outback Bound Edith Fraser TV movie 1991 The Flying Doctors Trisha / Grace 2 episodes 1993 Stark Dixie Miniseries, 3 episodes 1994 The Man from Snowy River: The McGregor Saga Mrs. Carney 4 episodes 1995 The Client Lorraine Episode: "Child's Play" 1995–1996 Neighbours Cheryl Stark 23 episodes 1997 JAG E.R. Nurse Episode: "Ghosts" 1999 Party of Five Nurse Episode: "Fate, Hope and Charity" 2002 History's Mysteries Re-enactor 1 episode 2003 MDA Daphne Lowe Episode: "A Time and a Place" Blue Heelers Denise Pertucci Episode: "Motherhood" 2005 H.M.S. Pinafore Little Buttercup TV special 2010 Sleuth 101 Ann Episode: "Late and Live" 2012–2022 Neighbours Sheila Canning Regular cast, 1101 episodes 2016 Neighbours: Summer Stories Sheila Canning Web series, 2 episodes 2017 Neighbours vs Time Travel Sheila Canning Web series, 3 episodes 2019 Wentworth New Inmate (cameo) Season 7, episode 10 (scene deleted) 2021; 2022 Fisk Mrs Daphne Popovitch / Irma 2 episodes 2024 Lykkeland Bee 8 episodes 2025 Full Story Dr Sutton
Other appearances YearTitleRoleNotes 1992The Main Event Contestant 1 episode 1993 What's Cooking Co-host 1995Sale of the Century: Battle of the TV Classics Contestant 4 episodes 1997Frontline Herself 1 episode 2006Temptation Contestant (with Val Lehman) 1 episode 2007–201120 to 1 Self 15 episodes 2016All Star Family Feud Contestant (with Val Lehman) 1 episode
Theatre
As cast YearTitleRoleNotes 1971 Godspell Peggy Playbox Theatre, Melbourne 1974 Guys and Dolls Ensemble Total Theatre, Melbourne 1977 Hats Playbox Theatre, Melbourne 1978 Gone with Hardy Kate MTC 1982 On Our Selection Lily MTC 1984 Catholic Schoolgirls Bay Street Theatre, Sydney 1985 Stepping Out Comedy Theatre, Melbourne 1993 The Dutch Courtesan Madame Mary Faugh Playhouse, Melbourne with MTC 1994 One Small Step Regina Australian tour with Theatre West, STC 1995–1996 Daze of Our Lives She Arts Centre Melbourne, Glen St Theatre, Sydney, Theatre 3, Canberra, Adelaide Festival Centre with Handspan Theatre 1997 Waking Eve Evelyn Merlyn Theatre, Melbourne with Playbox 2000 The Vagina Monologues Solo/lead Adrian Bohm Productions 2002 Savage Sensuality Shakespeare’s Globe, London 2003 An Evening with Colette Mann: Her Big Chance Lesley VIC, ACT & NSW tour with HIT Productions 2005 HMS Pinafore Buttercup Opera Australia 2006 Urinetown Ma Strong STC with MTC 2008 Rabbit Hole 2010 Priscilla Queen of the Desert - the Musical Shirley / Broken Hill Bogan Regent Theatre, Melbourne with Backrow Productions Dumped: The Musical Harmony Twelfth Night Theatre, Brisbane 2011 Strange Bedfellows Faith Albury Regent Theatre 2012 Head Full of Love Nessa Tavistock Queensland Theatre with QPAC / Darwin Festival 2017 Shear Madness Sheila 2023 Beauty and the Beast Witch Mauvaise Harlequin Theatre and Cinema, UK 2025 Follies Emily Whitman Palais Theatre, Melbourne with Victorian Opera
As crew YearTitleRoleNotes 1991 The Adman Choreographer Merlyn Theatre, Melbourne with Playbox 1998 I Do! I Do! Producer Capers Dinner Theatre, Melbourne 2015 Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune Director Fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne
Awards YearWorkAwardCategoryResult 2008 Priscilla Queen of the Desert - the Musical Helpmann Awards Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role 2014 Neighbours Equity Ensemble Awards Best Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
References
External links