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It has been a lifelong ambition of mine to work within theatre and the arts due to its ability to motivate and inspire people. I have a strong commitment to the creation of unique and vivid theatre as well as a desire to propel the arts more into the public domain and to provide a real nexus for combined experience. Most recently I directed a highly successful children's show in the Pleasance Dome at the Edinburgh Fringe, 'The Enchanted Castle' based on the Edith Nesbit book that celebrates its centenary this year, "Sing-song dialogue matched with jolly jokes and lots of romping around in the garden maze results in an hour of fun… the actors engage and inspire their young audience." (The Guardian). As part of the show's publicity I was able to persuade the Children's Laureate winner Quentin Blake to produce an image that was used on the play's accompanying ephemera. Educational worksheets which were devised in-house were handed out to young members of the audience to encourage them that learning can be fun and that something can be taken away from the theatrical experience. 'The Enchanted Castle' was highly innovative and used a complicated set design to allow the magic to be brought to a Fringe stage and allowing the recreation of a tabbed theatre.
I have also been involved in directing and producing many other shows including a bold new adaptation of 'Dracula' which was staged outside with the audience sat snug in a heated marquee whilst the action happened in a dark and eerie woodland setting, escaping out into the night, with lights and mist providing a brilliant but scary atmosphere. The script was closely based on the original novel by Bram Stoker and written especially for the production: chillingly presented the gothic, frightening story that made Dracula a horror classic. "The production is extremely well conceived… hauntingly effective" (Varsity).
In the summer of 2006 I presented 'Alice Through the Looking-Glass' at the Edinburgh Fringe, "pacy, imaginative and lots of fun" (The Scotsman). The show focussed on the mystery and excitement in the tension between childhood and adulthood that intersects Carroll's work. The show featured a giant blow up Humpty Dumpty costume and the theme of illusion was adventurously tackled by using two Alice characters. Additionally I staged a charming outdoor adaptation of 'The Secret Garden', where the action took place in an actual garden. The production was described as "a gem" having "sparkling scenes… which tugged suitably at the heart strings" (TCS).
I have also been in charge of organising live music events and comedy evenings when my tasks have included: selecting and artistically advising the acts, publicising the events, co-ordinating the hiring of equipment and the setting up of a bar.
My sister is profoundly dyslexic and therefore I have first hand experience of how isolating disabilities can be and this has led me to have a passionate interest in how theatre can be used as an educational tool and provide a great stimulus to those with learning disabilities. To this end I try to ensure that all theatre I am involved in is accessible to all members of the community, most recently making sure that my production of 'The Enchanted Castle' had a BSL signed performance.
One of my other theatre experiences is that of an actor appearing in Bugsy Malone (1997), Rougyheads (1998), Ernie's Incredible Illucinations (1999), Our Day Out (2000), A Midsummer Night's Dream (2001), Demon Headmaster: The Musical, (2002), Dave and the Noodlestalk (2004). I attended acting lessons from an early age, studying for a time under Judith Barker at the Oldham Coliseum and also at the Oldham Theatre Workshop and have attended various workshops on differing aspects of stage performance for example stage fighting. I also have substantial experience as a dancer, taking lessons in stage, modern musical, ballet, jazz, tap and ballroom. This interest has involved the achieving of awards and the participating in numerous dance shows.
I studied History at Cambridge University specialising in Medieval Economic History. My study of history and the high level analytical skills it has given me allow me to carefully 'mine' a script for all its information and interpretations. Whilst at University I spent two years as President of my college dramatic society, during my presidency I was responsible for trebling the annual turnover of the society. In my final year at school I won the P.H. Wren plaque for outstanding achievement in the dramatic arts.
I greatly relish a challenge and thinking outside the box to come up with new and exciting concepts for shows that combine something technically sophisticated with bewitching storytelling.