Katherine Thomson was born in Manly, New South Wales and began her theatrical involvement as a teenager with the Australian Theatre for Young People.
It was succeeded by Darlinghurst Nights, developed from the light verse of the noted Australian poet Kenneth Slessor and it was presented, along with musical accompaniment, by the Sydney Theatre Company in 1988.
Later the same year, Belvoir Street theatre in Sydney produced the play with Robyn Nevin as Barbara and Marshall Napier as Den.
The following year, the Sydney Theatre Company presented a production of this play directed by Marion Potts, featuring Noni Hazelhurst in the central role.
In 2007, King Tide was premiered by Griffin Theatre Company, in a production directed by Patrick Nolan, starring Toni Scanlan.