Released: 06.01.09

David’s background is in Drama and Theatre in Education.  His ‘inspirational vision’ was his establishment of the Rent-A-Role Drama Service in 1980 which he ran from the Barbican Theatre in Plymouth.  It’s still running today under the new name of Plymouth Barbican Theatre. David continued to develop his pioneering teaching approach, which went on to run in Plymouth schools until 1996.

Completing a Masters degree, David helped to develop the Barefoot Project, an initiative which was based at UCP Marjon.  He then started the BA Drama programme in 2000. 

He is currently spearheading the Arrow programme (Art: A Resource for Reconciliation Over the World) and recognises that the arts have a significant contribution to make towards building relationships across barriers, challenging stereotypes, and nurturing empathy.  The programme is now planning a World Congress, which will provide a shared platform for ARROW groups all over the world.

The ARROW programme was recently shortlisted for the 2008 Times Higher Education award in the category of Excellence and Innovation in the Arts.

David said:
“I was delighted to accept the honour , not just for myself, but for all the friends, colleagues and young people who have shared the work and activities of the ARROW programme in the UK, Palestine, Kosovo, South Africa, Sierra Leone and now more widely across the world.  We are deeply moved that our efforts have been given public recognition.

For me personally, although I am very proud and celebrate joyfully with my sons the acknowledgement of public service, the invitation to accept an honour that still uses the term British Empire did present some difficulty.  I work in places for the ARROW programme, such as Palestine, where the British Empire has had a disastrous impact and history.   Is it not time to rethink the Honours titles so that public service and commitment are acknowledged and celebrated without association with a specific historical perspective, which for some people is uncomfortable and indeed inappropriate in the modern world? “