His theatrical career now encompasses five decades. He has performed in pantomime, cabaret, summer season, operettas and musical comedies and many plays in Repertory Theatre. He has directed and choreographed all over the world, making his name synonymous with large scale, fast moving shows. Known for his attention to detail (and wicked sense of humour) he has tutored at the prestigious ROSS Summer School for 46 years, and for the fourteenth year accepts the responsibility of Chairman and Director of the course. With over 1400 musicals to his credit he continues to take workshops and seminars for enthusiasts on many aspects of the theatre.
For Chelmsford Young Generation he marks up 40 years of directing and is a Life Member of the Society (alongside Chelmsford Operatic Society, Basingstoke Musical Society and Kettering Musical Theatre Company). In his career he three times directed the award winning productions at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera in Eire, taking the Premier Trophy. He held the professional directors’ trophy 25 times and the choreographers on ten occasions. When Young Gen competed in the Festival in 1982 (presenting ‘Godspell’) they came second under his direction despite stiff competition from adult companies from all over the world and (we are told) Young Gen are still fondly remembered for their talent and showmanship!
Now retired, Ray was recently made Patron of the Society and he continues to coach performers and finds time to return to ‘our kids’ and train our future stars. Ray calls it our ‘incubator’. Our last two productions under his directorship were multi-NODA award winning shows, Whistle Down The Wind (Best Musical, Best Youth Performer, Best Overall Production) and Les Miserables (Best Youth Production and Best Musical, also winner of the best live theatre production, Chelmsford PanicAwards).
