Franciscus Henri

Franciscus Henricus Antheunis, professionally known as Franciscus Henri (born 7 August 1947), is an internationally known musician and children's entertainer. He is Dutch born. He has dual Dutch/Australian nationality. He performs as himself and also as his alter-ego Mister Whiskers, a travelling singer who loves children and performs for them with his dog companion, Smiggy. Born in The Hague, The Netherlands, Henri came to Australia in 1956, where he finished schooling and became a qualified secondary arts and craft teacher. He toured with poet Sydney Carter in 1972, then left teaching in 1973 to join the Monash University Theatre company as a set designer, actor and musician. In 1975 he toured throughout Australia and New Zealand with the English comedian Spike Milligan. Franciscus Henri Productions Pty Ltd was formed in that year, and began producing performances throughout Australia in conjunction with state arts councils. Henri was a member of the original cast of the Shirl's Neighbourhood Television show, presenting his own segments as himself and, as an early alter-ego, Professor Henri. Henri also wrote and presented a series of programs and adds for the Victorian Christian Television Association. He also appeared on the Q7 program filmed in London, England. In 1997 he started performing to children as his new character, MISTER WHISKERS, and released his first album under his new moniker, Hello MISTER WHISKERS, which was nominated for the Best Children's Album Aria Award. He has performed across the globe, including festivals such as: the Vancouver International Children's Festival and Port Fairy Folk Festival (seven times); and (as MISTER WHISKERS) is the only performer to have played at every Warrnambool Fun 4 Kids Festival since its inception 1998. He has also performed in Singapore a number of times with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. From 1989 to 2002 he was a recording artist for ABC Music (ABC for kids), as well as a creator and producer of cover designs, for his own and other releases. He is the writer of the popular song 'Ducks Like Rain' a cover version recorded by Canadian entertainer Raffi. His most recent work is Nothing Fixed or Final, the words and music of Sydney Carter, as performed by Henri. He has presented it through out Victoria and recently in Boston USA. In London UK. he performed in the Sydney Carter memorial concert (Oct 2007). He has so far received seven ARIA award nominations for his various recording work. Franciscus is also an exhibiting painter. Discography Releases on Vinyl 1970 A side: "MARY AND ME", B side: "WERE YOU THERE – WERE YOU EVER" 1971 A side: "ALL I WANT" (F.Henri), B side: "SONG FOR JENNY" 1972 A side: "TURN YOU ROUND", B side: "THROW ME" 1972 Ding Dong Who Rang the Bell 1972 A side: "DING DONG WHO RANG THE BELL" B side: "THE FOX" 1972 Gabriel's Mother's Highway 1975 Pigtails 1976 Lord of the Dance 1981 Sunshine Rainbows and Violins 1981 Children's Christmas Songs 1985 Fifty Golden Nursery Rhymes 1989 Tree House Releases on CD 1989 Tree House 1990 White Pyjamas 1991 Dancing in the Kitchen 1992 Walking on the Milkyway 1993 Merry Christmas 1993 Franciscus Henri - My Favourite Nursery Rhymes 1994 Stories and Songs 1994 Hans Christian Anderson 1997 Hello Mister Whiskers 1998 Hooray for Mister Whiskers 1998 Mister Whiskers: My Favourite Nursery Rhymes 1999 Mister Whiskers: Monkey Business 1999 Board of Studies "Street Sense" - Road Safety Songs 2002 The Best of Franciscus Henri 2003 Explorer Semester One 2004 Maestro Semester One 2004 Explorer Semester Two 2004 Maestro Semester Two 2005 Nothing Fixed or Final Videos/DVDs OH NO ! It's The Franciscus Henri Video I'm Hans Christian Andersen Hello MISTER WHISKERS! My Favourite Nursery Rhymes Sing a Song in Singapore