Writtle CARDS

I have been a member of CARDS since 1991 and have appeared in numerous productions during that period, playing a wide variety of characters. Personal favourites include playing Albert in Albert Make us Laugh in 2004, for which I was nominated for a Best Actor award by NWETG and won the Best Individual Performance Award from NODA. Playing villains in House Guest and In for the Kill was also great fun. In 2007 I was again nominated for Best Actor for my portrayal of Elyot in Noel Coward's Private Lives. I have directed 4 plays starting with 2005's Always Odds On - a script that I wrote myself and which went on to win the Best Drama Award from NODA. This was followed by the multi-award nominated and award winning (Laura Bennett - Best Supporting Actress) Agnes of God in 2007, The Memory of Water in 2009 and most recently The Haunting of Hill House. As you can tell hobbies include talking about myself (well no-one else will!!). I also love travelling and would put Namibia way out in front of the best places I've been to. Films are a big passion of mine as well and Cinema Paradiso, Once Upon A Time In America, Jaws and Casablanca top that particular favourites list. I'm a self-employed taxi driver and spend every morning and afternoon transporting young adults with learning difficulties to and from college - a job I absolutely love. Finally, but best of all, I got married to my lovely wife Vanessa in Mauritius in 2000!

I first joined CARDS in 1972 but only lasted a year. Then I guested in She Stoops to Conquer some time in the 1970's. My current incarnation started in 1997 with a job looking after props (and a tiny part) in These Ghoulish Things. Since then I have taken part in (I think) 18 CARDS productions.

System Account

Joined CARDS from Little Baddow Drama in the Spring of 2002 and was immediately thrust into the limelight for the murder mystery "House Guest". In 2003 I was involved as the groom in "Sylvia's Wedding" at the Cramphorn, Chelmsford and as Bertie Wooster in "Much obliged Jeeves". During 2004 I "rested"!!! I was to return to CARDS and to the Cramphorn in 2005 as the Vicar in "Clerical Errors" followed by "Building Blocks" and finally for the year, Nick Caton's play "Always odds on". During 2006, I took to directing and led two plays for CARDS - John Godber's "Office Party" anf "Billy Liar". My last appearence with CARDS was in 2007 at the Cramphorn in Noel Coward's "Private Lives" as Victor for which I received the NETG "Best Actor" 2007 award. By the time the award evening came around I was living in Dubai but I flew in to receive the award - how very Hollywood!! Actually, coincidentally, I happened to be in the country at the same time as the awards - how very Holyhead!!! I now live in Qatar in the Middle East and visit the UK often, touching base with good friends at CARDS - saw "Comic Potential" the last time I was home. I miss my acting days at Writtle and am proud to be both a member of the club and flying the CARDS flag in the Gulf!!!

Just an old ruin that Cromwell bashed about a bit!

I am a fairly new member,  having played “Dolly Messiter” in the Writtle CARDS production of “Still Life” in May 2010 and "Mrs Montague" in the November 2010 production of "The Haunting of Hill House".   I am new to Amateur Dramatics, but somehow went from watching my niece take part in productions, to making the tea, to appearing on stage!  The group is very friendly and welcome new members with or without experience!