I was born upon a July morning in 1954 and grew up in Windermere, Westmorland.(It wasn't Cumbria then) Living above the shoe shop that my Grandfather owned and Mum & Dad ran.
By the time I was twenty my life had taken one of those sideways swerves and I ended up adrift in Barrow in Furness,
(It's Cumbria by now) an unremarkable place with hidden beauties. It was here I found God(who I've since had the odd difference of opinion with,but he or she or whatever did what was needed at the time)
and (sweet) Jo
who did what all the Queens Doctors and all the Kings Pills couldn't do and put me together again.
Jo is the Mother of my sons and I love her still, though we grew up together and changed apart.
Adam & Nik are my sons, who continue to make me weep with pride and joy.
A King then came to town with
WELFARE STATE INTERNATIONAL
http://www.welfare-state.org
to make a film for Channel 4, I went along and their friendship, enthusiasm and love gave me a feeling of self esteem that had so far been eluding me. They also gave me the part of a mad Archbishop. My head swelled, my heart surged and I loved every minute of it. (I am a Leo after all) My life turned around a cycle ended a circle began and after a brief sub plot around a B.A.R.D. I set off down to London Town.
(It was Farnham actually but it doesn't scan half as well) to study at...
WEST SURREY COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN
Where I got a degree in sculpture and had a piece in the WHITWORTH YOUNG CONTEMPORIES EXHIBITION1987 showing alongside works by Rachel Whiteread and Damian Hurst.
Then came the years of "BEING AN ARTIST" Did a few good things, including "THE WESTERN BANK SHOW" exhibition in Wigton 1992, "THE SHIP OF DREAMS" A Dragon ship bonfire in Silloth harbour 1994, and a site specific sculpture on a floating base on Derwentwater in 1996. Damn I was good!!!
At this time though theatre and performing were pulling me with ever-stronger magic...
I'd been in loads of local am drams playing everything from Sherlock Holmes to Fagin to Polonius and Captain Face. Then came THE MYSTERY PLAYS performed for the first time in years in Carlisle Cathedral, working with a professional director, this led on to working with Ali McCaw and Changeling Productions, Touring Cumbria with storytelling puppets
and DREAMS OF BEASTS again in Carlisle Cathedral playing the central role of William the Carver.
MOTLEY VAGABOND THEATRE COMPANY
The best touring theatre company the world has ever known, We gave you an unbeaten "Twelfth Night" a groundbreaking and wonderful "The Tempest" and quite frankly, a poor "The Changeling" but it's gone now and your fault!!!!!
I've also worked with the stilt performer Kevin Alderson and
WYRD ARTS
on a number of projects including playing the part of Carl Denham in short tour of the street version of
KING KONG.
So now I tell stories which I've done at GLASTONBURY and various other festivals and events up and down the country.
AND THEN THERES “SOLFEST”
A GREAT NEW FESTIVAL THAT TAKES PLACE IN WEST CUMBRIA
ON AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY AT TARNSIDE FARM.
I’ll see you on main stage to welcome you and introduce you to some of the best musical acts on the WORLD/ROOTS/FOLK music scene today!
And telling stories on
THE DRYSTONE STAGE
My own baby, and boy have got a cracking line up of acts and artistes for your delectation. Rapidly establishing itself as a major player on the UK festival scene. SOLFEST has earned the name as "The Glastonbury of the north"
CHECK OUT THE SOLFEST WEBSITE
NOW
http://www.solwayfestival.co.uk/
...Oh yes!
THE REALLY IMPORTANT PART!
And that's...
....Living with Karen,
and that's the best part!
