Biographie
Graduating from Rose Bruford College in 1977, he served as Artistic Director of the "Causes" Theatre Company from 1979 to 1981, notably playing the title role in King Lear at just twenty-five. His portrayals of Lear and Billy Fisher in Billy Liar earned him the Theatre Associates' Best Actor award in 1980. Between 1989 and 2003, he focused exclusively on educational drama and authored "The Ghost Dance," "Malleus Maleficarum," and "Bridging Zone," plays designed to explore the performance techniques of Artaud, Stanislavski, and Craig. Holding a PhD, he frequently lectures on the interplay of religion, theatre, and ritual in the ancient world. Since 2003, he has performed as Johnny Cashbox, a country and western tribute artist. In November 2007, his one-man comedy-drama "Who Is Leonard Jones?" premiered at the Headgate Theatre Colchester in collaboration with Age Concern, featuring narrative songs by his alter ego Johnny Cashbox. His experience as a stormtrooper in both "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" has influenced his songwriting, evident in tracks like "Starfighters Hit Zero" and "Am I All That Is Left Of An Empire." "I Shot A ... Jedi" is one of his latest works on this theme and serves as the foundation for his upcoming musical project, slated for completion by the end of 2016. In August 2010, under the moniker Apollo-Dionysus and alongside fellow former "Coven Club" member Les Mason, he formed "TheDragonflyRising," blending his esoteric, sci-fi, and socio-political lyrics with traditional rock 'n' roll. In 2014, the band began performing Lou Reed and Velvet Underground covers under the name "The Pelmet Overload." Responding to growing interest from sci-fi fans, he established the function band "Johnny Cashbox, Universal Superstar and The Renegades From Quark" for conventions, fundraisers, and related events.
