Curriculum Vitae
TEACHING WORK
I specialise in passing on my deep knowledge of Commedia from a practical point of view as a touring director-performer, getting students to engage fully in physical theatre of all kinds, from mask work to puppetry. Since 1991 places I have taught include:
2018 - Curious School of Puppetry, Edinburgh.
Module tutor for professional puppetry training.
2017 - East 15, Drama School, London.
Five week Commedia Dell 'Arte module for second year World Theatre students.
2016 - 2017 Curious School of Puppetry, London.
Module tutor for professional puppetry training.
2016 - East 15, Drama School, London.
Four week Commedia module for second year BA students.
2016 - Light Theatre, Kneehigh Barns, Cornwall.
Glove puppet workshop for R&D process.
2016 - Goldsmith's University, London.
One day Commedia workshop for Muisc students studying opera.
2015 - Abyss Theatre, Sharpham House, Devon.
Teaching Commedia movement for production of Dante's Inferno.
2002-2014 ESMAE Polytechnic (School of Drama and Music), Porto, Portugal.
3-week and 6-week courses on Commedia, Character Masks and Neutral masks for university theatre students.
2003-2004 East 15 Drama School, London.
3-week Commedia modules for acting students.
2000 Goldsmith College, London.
1 term Mask module for drama students.
1996-2000 Hope Street, Liverpool.
From 2-day to 2-week workshops on Commedia and Character Masks for physical theatre students.
I have also conducted numerous short workshops, for theatres, art centres, adult education venues, and theatre companies.
DIRECTORIAL AND PRODUCTION WORK
2018 COLUMBINA THEATRE, Devon
Directed and performed 'Butoh' style improvised movement in 'A Sleep Cycle of Poetry.'
2017 HEDGESPOKEN TRAVELING THEATRE.
Consultant director for 'The Singing Bones.' Traveling storytelling theatre piece, touring to festivals.
2016 COLUMBINA THEATRE, Devon
Directed, and performed in, "Egil" an epic poem made into a performance.
2015 WHOEVER WE ARE, Devon
Devised Live Art show "connected:disconnected" a new play about the connections and disconnections in modern life.
2015 COFFEE HOUSE THEATRE, Plymouth.
Rehearsed reading of new plays: "Spell me slowly" a play about mental health issues, and "Better Her Than Me" a science fiction story.
2015 CLOWN RESEARCH PROJECT, Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter.
Overseeing research into theatrical red nosed clown through the Framework Space at the Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter.
2013 - 2014 DREAM GRUBBER THEATRE: puppet theatre, Devon
"How the Hoggler Got Its Name," directed and co-wrote original script 2013.
2005 - 2014 ESMAE POLYTECHNIC, PORTO, Portugal
Created and directed student productions of "Commedia Lost and Found," a Commedia adaptation of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and other student productions.
2005 ZURICH MIME COMPANY, Switzerland
Doctored final week of rehearsal for full length new physical theatre production.
2003 HAMMERSMITH COLLEGE, RIVERSIDE STUDIOS, LONDON
Created and directed a Commedia adaptation of "Hamlet."
2000 - 2002 HOPE STREET PHYSICAL THEATRE, Liverpool
Created and directed Commedia adaptions of "Romeo and Juliet," "Momo," and "That Scoundrel Scapin"
1999 - 2004 LITTLE ANGEL: puppet theatre, London
Created and directed Rod and Glove puppet shows, including "The Musicians of Bremen," "The Selkie Bride," and "King Arthur" (a Time Out Top Ten Children’s Show).
1991 - 2007 OPHABOOM THEATRE: Commedia dell'Arte touring company
Co-founder and director/performer in shows including:
"Richard III," (Venice Carnival, Italy; Almagro theatre festival, Spain.)
"Romeo and Juliet," (Kulmbach, Germany; Verona, Italy; Le Puy en Velay, France.)
"Alchemy," (Jersey and Guernsey, Channel Island; Venice Carnival, Italy.)
"Miller’s Tale," (Domfront, France; Cheltenham International festival, England.)
"Faustus," (Edinburgh festival, Scotland; Valence festival, France; Warsaw, Poland.)
"Hunchback of Notre Dame" (5 Star Review in The Scotsman at the Edinburgh Festival), (Valence, France; Montreal theatre festival, Canada.)
"Robin Hood" (Time Out Top 10 Christmas Show in London), (Warsaw, Poland; The National Theatre summer festival, London; International theatre festival, Korea.)
"Casanova." (Alcala festival, Spain; Lisbon theatre festival, Portugal.)
PERFORMANCE WORK
I have also worked as a performing member with these companies:
2017 - 2018 PUNCH AND JUDY: solo show
2016 - 2018 COLUMBINA THEATRE: Egil
2015 - 2016 WHOEVER WE ARE ENSEMBLE: connected:disconnected, Live Art, Devon
2013 - 2014 DREAM GRUBBER THEATRE: puppet theatre, Devon
2005 - 2006 DAUGHTERS OF ELVIN: medieval music, mask and dance company, Devon
1992 - 1993 NORWICH PUPPET THEATRE: puppet theatre, Norfolk
1991 - 2000 LITTLE ANGEL: puppet theatre, London
1991 - 2007 OPHABOOM THEATRE:
GRANTS
Arts Council of England - to study masking traditions in Arizona. Personal development.
Arts Council of England - development grants for ‘Three Short Tales’ and ‘Burke and Hare.’ Ophaboom Theatre.
Arts Council of England - Development and touring grant - ‘Robin Hood.’ Ophaboom Theatre.
Arts Council of England - touring grant for ‘Hunchback of Notre Dame.’ Ophaboom Theatre.
Esmee Fairburn Foundation - grant for administrative support. Ophaboom Theatre
Arts Council of England - development and touring grants - ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ and ‘King Arthur,’ Little Angel Theatre.
Arts for All Lottery funding - for van and equipment. Ophaboom Theatre.
Prince’s Youth Business Trust - business set up grant. Ophaboom Theatre.
EDUCATION
In addition to receiving a BA in Drama and English from Exeter University (1988), I studied Physical Theatre at the Desmond Jones School in London, and the History of Western Esotericism as a graduate student at Exeter University. I researched the use of masks in Native American and Mexican-American communities in Arizona with the aid of an Arts Council England grant, and have extensive knowledge of the folklore and history of mask use in theatre and ritual in cultures around the world.
FURTHER SKILLS
* Languages: Fluent French, working knowledge of Spanish, German, Portuguese and Italian.
* Music: acoustic, electric and bass guitar, mandolin, accordion, drums, percussion, and singing.
* Writing: plays, radio plays, articles on theatre and mask topics
* Extensive touring experience in the U.K. and Europe (plus some touring in Canada and Asia)
* Experience teaching international students