Career in a nutshell
I first got involved in theatre at the tender age of 13 and the past 57 years have been steeped in theatre, television and radio. That unfortunately, gives away my age but although I am now 70 - I still have the energy of a 40 year old! My acting career has been tinged with Directing, Wardrobe Supervision, Radio Presenting, Voice Over work, Adverts and basically anything anyone would like to throw at me.
Director: I directed many Gilbert & Sullivan operas from the age of 18 and really enjoyed doing it. So, when anyone asked me to direct something, whether it be a play, a musical or an opera I was over the moon. I love directing and feel that the best way to get the finest performances out of an actor is to make rehearsals fun and to be patient and coach them individually, if it is needed. Lately I have rejoined the drama group I was with when I was growing up, the Ayr Fort Players, and have directed The Happiest Days of Your Life and Agatha Crusty and the Village Hall Murders for them in the last two years. I also had to take the role of Mr Pond in Happiest Days, due to lack of male members!
ACTOR: I attended Manchester Polytechnic to learn my craft. A wonderful place full of really talented teachers and pupils. I went on from there to do time with Howard and Wyndham as well as parts in rep, television adverts, variety programmes, straight and comedy roles. I let the acting fade after I was 28 as I was fed up with all the touring and wanted to try my hand at something new. That is when I became Wardrobe Supervisor to Danny La Rue, responsible for all the costumes and touring the country as well as Australia. So much for not wanting to tour! But it was one of the most rewarding jobs I had done up to that point.
VOICE ARTIST: Due to an illness that kept me from going out and physically working, I became interested in voice work. I started to get quite a lot of contracts doing voice overs for many companies and still keep my hand in with one particular company.
I am an independent voice over artist and therefore there are no booking or agency fees. All recording and usage fees are by negotiation, depending on the session length and end use of the project. Check out my OMH Productions website for more details.
RADIO PRESENTER: When I moved to the Isle of Skye to live, I became a member of the fledgling Cuillin FM and stayed with them for 8 years, becoming Chairman of the group and winning awards for my Breakfast Shows. I also wrote 99 episodes of a radio soap opera entitled The Glen Midden Chronicles, which is still used to this day on internet radio. I have also been with Two Lochs Radio in Gairloch since their inception and have never missed one week in programming since November 2003! Styles of programmes have varied during the years from opera to pop to world wars.
WEBSITES: Throughout my career I have accrued a vast selection of posters, programmes and memorabilia which, due to lack of space, I am selling off. You can check these out here:
Old Theatre Posters
Old Theatre Programmes
Old Theatre Memorabilia