Since my childhood I’ve always been interested in theatre. When I was young I had a Pollock’s model theatre and used to put on my own productions. My childhood memories of theatre are of pantomime at the Lyceum Theatre in Newport or at the New Theatre in Cardiff. I still enjoy pantomime today though I don’t get to see much of it.
My first stage appearance was as Putticat when I was about 9 or 10 years of age. It was a presentation devised originally for a school Christmas show but ended up touring the local church halls. My friend Cliff played the Tweety Pie while I chased him around the stage as we mimed to the "I taw I taw a putticat" song.
I got interested again when I arrived in Birmingham after my marriage broke up. I thought my acting days were over until I was offered a part in a production by a nearby village here in France.
The following is a nearly comprehensive list of the productions I have been in:
Play Strindberg by Friedrich Durrenmatt (Kurt). Aston University, Centre for the Arts, 1977.

The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov (Trofimov). Aston University, Centre for the Arts, 1977.

Wedding on the Eiffel Tower by Jean Cocteau (First Phonograph). Aston University, Centre for the Arts, 1977

The Country Wife by Sir Robert Howard and George Villiers (Second Duke of Buckingham),
(Sir Cautious Trouble-All). Aston University, Centre for the Arts, 1978.

Romeo & Juliet by Wm Shakespeare (Prince of Verona).Aston University, Centre for the Arts, c1978

The Alchemist by Ben Johnson (Surly). Aston University, Centre for the Arts, c1978

An evening of melodramas: ‘Maria Martin’ or Murder in the red barn (Police Inspector), The Vampire by JR Planche (Andrew), and Trilby by Paul Potter (Billie).

Mixed Doubles: an entertainment on marriage. Norma by Alun Owen & Countdown by Alan Ayckbourn. Director. Aston University, Centre for the Arts, c1979.

Epsom Downs by Howard Brenton (Bobby). Aston University, Centre for the Arts, 1980

Fanshen by David Hare (Ting Fu and Tui Chin). Aston University, Centre for the Arts, c1980

Leonardo’s Last Supper by Peter Barnes (Lasca) Aston University, Centre for the Arts, c1981

The Nation Mourns by Mark Bowman (Recruiting Sergeant)
Midlands New Writers Festival 1982. Aston University, Centre for the Arts, 1982.

Play the Game by Dave Morris (Malcolm) Aston University, Centre for the Arts, c1982.

The National Health by Peter Nichols (Tyler) Aston University, Centre for the Arts,c1982

Incident at Vichy by Arthur Miller (Professor Hoffman), Hexagon Theatre, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham c1983.

The Government Inspector by Nikolai Gogol (Mayor)
Hexagon Theatre, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham c1984.

Cabaret (a sailor) University of Birmingham Musical Society c1989.

Spectacle d’Ete Chateauvieux (France) (General Percing) 2009.

Classical Music
My favourite classical composers are Beethoven, Mahler, Ravel, Shostakovich and Ades. My favourite opera composers are Purcel, Handel, Puccini and Britten.

Choral Experience
I am a first tenor and have been a member of various choirs since I was around 16. It’s been an on\off sort of relationship over a lifetime, for I enjoy singing as part of an ensemble but don’t very much like the culture of choirs.

I have been a member of the following choirs:
Newport Gospel Men’s Chorus (c1960 - 1962)
Summerhill Baptist Church Choir (c1960 – 1963)
Birmingham Singers (c1975 -1978)
Birmingham Festival Chorus (c1978 -1979)
University of Birmingham Choir (c1981 -1985)
Birmingham Touring Opera Chorus (Fidelio production 2000)
Aste – Foncette Chorale (2003)
La Cantinele (Montrichard) (c2004 -2006)
AICME (Montrichard) (2007)
Honegger Chorale (Blois) (2009 - )

Composition:
Petit requiem pour Basil – a tragedy by email. Compositor Andrew Keeling, lyrics by Richard Biddiscombe. Commissioned by TripleSec. First performance, Paris, 2007.

Works sung include:
Requiem (Verdi), A Child of our time (Tippett), All in an April evening (Robertson) Messe Solennelle (Rossini), Messiah (Handel), Mass (Bruckner), Gloria (Vivaldi), C Minor Mass (Mozart), Requiem (Faure) Psalm no. 150 (Bruckner), Te Deum (Verdi), Fidelio (Beethoven), Solomon (Handel, Missa n. 3 -Eesti-Missa (Mass no. 3 – Estonian Mass) (Urmass Sisask).

Other musical interests
I am an enthusiast for great popular song-writing. I love the lyrics and the music of the Gershwin’s, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Rogers and Hart. I am a devotee of Stephen Sondheim and my other favourite musicals are My Fair Lady, West Side Story and Kiss Me Kate.