Short Biography
Since graduating from the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts just over two years ago, Steve has performed in a number of West End venues and been involved with many exciting projects, including the UK premiere of Christopher Durang's "Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Xmas Binge", the critically-acclaimed Fringe Musical, "Failed States", and the development of a new play with John Godber at Hull Truck. In comedy, he regularly performs sketches on the London circuit, can be seen in Series 2 and 3 of ITV's Sketch Show, "Comedy Cuts" and performed in the 2007 "Perrier Award" winning show, "So I Suppose This Is Offensive Now?", recently released on DVD. He can be seen on the UK's two leading comedy video websites, Funny or Die, and MySpace Comedy (formerly Warner Bros' ComedyBox) from early 2009. He also played a significant role in the forthcoming ITV drama, "Stockwell", which follows the police on the day of the tragic shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.
Full Biography
Introduction
Steve trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, and was recognised as The Stage's "Critic's Choice" for his performance in their graduation showcase. In London, he has performed at venues including the New Wimbledon, the Pleasance, the Etcetera, the Albany, the Almeida, the Arts, the Soho, the Criterion, the Duchess and the Garrick in London's West End. Further afield, he has devised a new play with Hull Truck, worked at West Yorkshire Playhouse's International Storytelling Festival and been a regular panel member in improvised comedy show, "Whose Turn Is It Anyway?". He has been directed by Michael Attenborough and John Godber, and can be seen in the Motion Pictures "The Life of David Gale" and "The Other Boleyn Girl" (if your DVD player has a particularly good freeze-frame facility!).
Early Career
He began his career with Chickenshed, training as an Actor/Practitioner, and eventually managed their Milton Keynes outreach project, after roles as Composer (co-writing their first full-length musical), Associate Artistic Director and Producer (for a production of "The Tempest" with an 80-strong cast). During his time with Chickenshed he performed at the prestigious music venue, "The Stables", and collaborated as Co-Director with David Glass and his ensemble on their "Sense of Place" project at Milton Keynes Theatre. Around this time he also wrote an adaptation of Shakespeare's "As You Like It", which was performed on BBC Radio, and played a small part in an episode of National Geographic's "Seconds From Disaster", in addition to a number of independent films.
First Successes
He performed at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe Fesitval in the acclaimed new musical, "Failed States" (5 stars: British Theatre Guide and Financial Times, 4 stars: The Scotsman and The Guardian). Having played guitar as an actor-musician in "Failed States", he also taught himself piano for his performance in the UK Premiere of Christopher Durang's "Mrs Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge". Described as "a talented and accomplished performer, definitely one to watch" by Tim Arthur (Comedy Editor of Time Out magazine), he was recently seen alongside Tom Basden, Dan Antopolski and Ian Puleston-Davies in seven episodes of the second series of ITV's Sketch Show, "Comedy Cuts".
The IF.Comedy (aka "Perrier Award") Winning Show
For the last twelve months he has been performing in various incarnations of the 2007 IF.Comedy (formerly The 'Perrier' Award) winning show, "So I Suppose This Is Offensive Now?", produced by Off The Kerb, alongside stand-up comedian Brendon Burns. Since receiving the award from Christian Slater and the previous year's winner, Phil Nichol, the show has been performed in a number of locations, including stints at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (culminating in a celebratory performance at the 700-seater Pleasance Grand), London (West End Run), Glasgow Comedy Festival and at this year's Montreal "Just For Laughs" Comedy Festival as part of the prestigious "Flying Solo" series. The show was filmed in Summer 2008 for DVD and a TV Special for Paramount Comedy Channel by Open Mike Productions and the team recently capped off their successful year by presenting the 2008 IF.Comedy awards to this year's winners, David O' Doherty and Sarah Millican, alongside host, Clive James. A clip from the DVD was recently chosen as the "humourous offering of the day" on Matt Lucas' and David Walliams' website, "Funny Or Die".
Recent Work
Steve was recently asked back for the third series of ITV's Sketch Show, "Comedy Cuts", where he was directed by Cal McCrystal, performing alongside Scott Capurro (to be aired in early 2009). You can see Steve in the pre-recorded elements of Isabel Fay's 2008 Show, "Don't Let A Gift Horse In The House". He also recently completed his first professional presenting role on the new "Empower" DVD for Energie Fitness Clubs. Alongside all of the above, Steve participates in regular rehearsed readings (recent highlights including productions for the "Pleasance" and "White Bear" Theatres, and an ITV Sitcom Pilot, "White Van Man"). Having spent a large part of the last twelve months working in comedy, he is pleased to also be returning to his "serious acting" roots, playing the part of "Pat" in the forthcoming ITV drama, "Stockwell", which follows the police on the day of the tragic shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.
Upcoming Work
Steve regularly performs self-penned sketch comedy with co-writer Sam Pamphilon on the London circuit, and will be filming some of their material for MySpace Comedy (formerly Warner Bros' ComedyBox) in early 2009. Steve and Sam are also currently developing a number of sitcom ideas, including "Totally Garnish!" with ComedyBox and "End To End", for which they are fortunate to have a great team of people working with them: Writer/Director Matt Holt (director of ITV's "Headcases" and "Comedy Cuts", and Brendon Burns' 2007 IF.Comedy Award-winning show), Producer Tom Hopgood (associate producer for ITV's "Headcases" and "Comedy Cuts", and producer of Laura Solon's 2005 Perrier Award-winning show) and Oliver Lansley as script editor (performer/writer for Channel 4's Comedy Lab and new ITV sitcom, "FM"). In addition, you may see Steve performing musical comedy on the circuit from time to time with Sam Pay (former member of Pappy's Fun Club).