Derek has acted in and around Southampton, UK for many years, enjoying both serious and comic parts. He has entered the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on two occasions, both as an actor and director.

And in Jo Orton's "What the Butler saw" as well as Alan Bleasdale's "Having a Ball" Derek happily proves that going the "Full Monty" if required, gets the full treatment.

He took lessons in Musical conducting for his run in Peter Shaffer's classic, playing Motzart.

After various roles in Open Air Theatre, Derek co-formed The Dolce Vita Theatre Company, playing Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice", then directing "Twelfe Night" - with real live horses on stage... - before enjoying the rampant role of Edmund the Bastard, in "King Lear"

Now living in Christchurch, New Zealand, Derek has here formed Top Dog Theatre Company. He started by directing the exceptionally successful WEST, by Steven Berkoff. This November sees the immensely powerful Equus by Peter Shaffer, again in the ARTS Centre. And in May 2004, Derek directs Bouncers, the hilarious comedy written by John Godber.