GUILDFORD SCHOOL OF ACTING

After two wonderful periods working at Guildford School of Acting, the time has come to leave the Stag Hill campus for the final time. I first joined the faculty back in 2007 as an Associate Tutor when it was based at Millmead, and was fortunate enough to work there, and in the new building, until 2014. Eight years later, in 2022, I was invited back to teach the Foundation Musical Theatre students and the MA Musical Theatre course.

There are many highlights from my time at GSA, but one that will always stay in my mind is the production of Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be. I was the Musical Director for this, with direction by Nicholas Tudor and choreography by Drew Varley. There were no band parts for the show, the originals having been lost sometime after the original run in the Sixties, and so I transcribed the whole score from the original recording. We had a band made up of professional and student players, and it really was fantastic to hear the original arrangements played in full once again.

During my time at GSA, I have had the pleasure of working alongside wonderful colleagues such as Niall Bailey, Terrie Fender, Stewart Nicholls, and Gerry Tebutt. Their dedication and professionalism definitely nurtured the collaborative environment, and it was a privilege to work with all of the talented students over the years. Guildford School of Acting really is a very special college, and I will always remember the many friendships from my time there.