I am a professional theatre-maker today because I was a participant as a young person. From my own experiences, I know that the arts can change the way we look at the world and help us live more connected lives. Since those days I have been involved in many forms of theatre-making;  I ran my own small-scale touring company, I have worked for theatre companies and arts development agencies, I have been a writer and director, a producer and workshop leader – most often I find myself being a collaborator.

I have always been happy for my arts practice to be put at the service of another agenda – to explore an issue or to promote a debate. Social change and community development are part of the reason I am a professional theatre-maker –and what that applied art can do often seems more important to me than what might be called pure art. A live shared-experience can bring people together in a way that little else can do, it can promote debate and create connections all whilst entertaining and beguiling us. I think that I aspire to creating events which are intimate rather than spectacular; I want my art to be modest but significant.

Since the summer of 2016 I have been working as the Artistic Director of Hampshire’s Blue Apple Theatre. With this amazing company I have been writing for, and directing, an incredible cast. During 2022-23 we have visited Poland, The Czech Republic and Rome, as well as taking part in a digital post-screening discussion of our version of ‘Frankenstein’ with an audience in Beijing. We are also looking forwards to visiting Athens later in 2023, to work alongside international colleagues (including Theatre Hora (Belgium), Creahm (Switzerland), Hi Jinx (wales), Back To Back (Australia) and Teatr 21 (Poland)) planning a theatre festival for learning disabled actors in 2024/25.