"You can’t take shortcuts in this job"

Hometown
Originally from Wolverhampton, now residing in Cardiff and have been for nearly 20 years

What do you do?
Self-employed Equity registered fight director

How long have you been at it?
Eleven years

What was your very first role in theatre?
Professionally, ensemble cast in Sly Fox at Nuffield Theatre

Otherwise, playing a knight when I was three.

What have you done in theatre?
Just this year, some of the shows I have fight directed include:

• My Favourite Year, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London
• West Side Story, Bridgend Youth Theatre , Wales
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream, St Fagans Museum of Welsh Life, Cardiff, Everyman Open Air Theatre
• Women Beware Women, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
• Cyrano de Bergerac, Bristol Old Vic Theatre
• It’s Not the End of the World, Bristol Old Vic Theatre
• Acqua Nero, Chapter Arts Centre, Script Cymru
• Quadrophenia, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
• The Last Pirate, Wales and England tour, Spectacle Theatre
• Of Mice and Me, Clwyd Theatre, Mold, Wales
• Cysgod Y Cryman, Wales and England tour, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru

Have you got qualifications?

• Diploma in acting (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama)
• British Academy of Dramatic Combat stage combat tutor and examiner
• Stage combat tutor recognised by the National Council for Drama Training
• Black Belt 1st Dan in ITF Taekwondo
• Black Belt 1st Dan in WKA Kickboxing
• British Academy of Fencing Sabre 1, 2, 3, 4 star award
• British Academy of Fencing Foil 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 star award
• Capoeira corda azul / 1st level (Beribazu Internationale)

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Astronomer, then policeman

What do you do all day?
My day varies from day to day. No two days are the same. I’m either teaching at the Royal Welsh College; or I’m choreographing for the BBC, S4C, HTV or for theatre; or holding workshops.

What’s the best thing about your job?
Being creative everyday

And the worst?
Not being creative everyday

What’s your dream job in theatre?
Being asked to fight direct a brand new show that goes onto West End, then Broadway

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Take your time, do things the right way. You can’t take shortcuts in this job. You’ll have to deal with a lot of things and also have to build up a thick skin. Learn from your mistakes (you’ll make plenty when you’re starting out) and keep on moving forward. Most of all, have fun. This is the best job you’ll have. I’ve been doing this for 11 years and been teaching for 20. I still love it.