Work as a Director
I’ve had some lucky breaks in my time. In 1974 I was assistant director for a regional theatre in Crewe (Now called the Lyceum) under the artistic directorship of Charles Savage. As well as providing tiny episodes in some main house productions I was given some small scale direction in the studio. My first substantial work was the premier production of David Hare’s Slag outside London. I had a cast of three brilliant women (One of whom was Lindsay Duncan). It was probably the talents of the cast that got me through that learning phase so there is probably a good reason why I didn’t get a mention in Lindsay’s autobiography. Still it was a big stepping stone and I was genuinely able to think of myself as a director after that.
Since then I have been able to develop a way of working that incorporates my love of working withing communities in non-theatre venues. It is a form that is as near to being unplugged as it can be relying as much as possible on the skill of the actors and the close assoiations with the communities we have served. I have directed companies and productions all over the UK in the past fifty years. Here is some of my work:
Directing Escaping the Storm for AsOne Theatre Company - 2019
Directing The Cabinet Maker’s Daughter for AsOne Theatre Co - 2012
Directing What Would Jane Say? for Trisha Lewis 2013
Directing production of She Opened the Door for AsOne Theatre Co. -2010
Directing Production of Hey Baby by Nell Denton for AsOne Theatre Company – 2009
Visiting Director for A Chorus of Disapproval by Alan Ayckbourn at the Arts Institute Bournemouth – 2007
Co-ordinator Sparkle Drama Project – 2005-2007 An ESF funded project working with adults with learning difficulties throughout Dorset. As well as achieving set learning targets, groups from 7 centres produce 18 small performances and one major theatre Piece (The Tempest).
Oxfordshire Touring Theatre, Oxford, – Artistic Director 1982-1988
Took moribund company with significant deficit and turned it into an active and viable organisation. Six years of expanding venues in communities throughout the region. Established new writing policy and was successful in achieving Arts Council funding for this Instigated new forms of community involvement. Directed over twenty productions for theatres and non-theatre venues
Commissioned plays from new and established writers. Commissioned plays for particular communities from Phil Smith and David Halliwell.
Director of Outreach Productions, Theatr Clwyd 1981-1982
Associate Director, Horseshoe Theatre Company, Basingstoke 1976-1979 Outreach Director: Jem Barnes. Artistic Director: Guy Slater
Assistant Director, Lyceum Theatre, Crewe 1974 Artistic Director: Charles Savage
Over fifty productions directed altogether including Mid scale, National Touring, Local Touring, Community, and TIE.
Including: The Promise by Aleksi Arbuzov
All’s Well That End Well by William Shakespeare
Slag by David Hare
Intimate Exchanges (All 8 plays)Alan Ayckbourn
Review of She Opened the Door
Intimate Exchanges
All eight of Alan Ayckbourn’s plays in one season
A Chorus of Disapproval
Alan Ayckbourn’s play in the round. With students from the Arts University, Bournemouth