Biographie
Son of Edward Michael Perry who trained as an artist at St Martins and also in physics, engineering and a course in oceanography after he left the army having served in various theaters of conflict and the Korean War. His time in North Africa and the Middle East resulted in the family spending a few short periods in North Africa with the possibility of migrating to the Arab Peninsula being a likely for a time. Edward underwent instruction in Islam as he was considering converting at the time. He had been in touch with the Faith during his military service and via his father who had been in Afghanistan and India. 2019 is the 100th anniversary of the family's links with Islam.
His mother Susan Perry was an engineering technician and a member of the Spiritualist Church.
His sister Bernadette was the victim of fatal head injuries and he has continued to pursue a legal case and justice for her; some details of which appear on official media pages for Steve Armourae. Via Edward's mother, the family are directly descended from Eire Governor General, Tim Healy MP, a leader of the Irish Nationalist Party with other relatives. They once controlled a part of Ireland and have been a part of Irish politics since the Irish Revolution and Confederate Wars of Independence. Via Bernadette's mother, Steve and Bernie are related to the famous Kennedy family as Josephine Kennedy was Senator Joseph Kennedy's great niece. They are also related to an American cardinal, a London physics professor and a Canadian officer who played a significant part in the American Civil War and other early Canadian politicians. Steve's first school was the French convent, St Josephs, in Kent; which is the subject of a documentary he has been filming with former pupils
On leaving school he studied at the naval college at Greeenhithe on a year long course: electronics, telecommunications, satellite technology plus learning navigation, motor boating and marine skills. Then studied A levels: physics, chemistry,biology,art, literature,psychology. In the mid-late 1990s he had a series of discussions with the church associated with the convent about becoming a monk. The advising priest was a former assistant professor of Biblical languages at Heythrop College who had translated some obscure ancient texts.
At the same time continued with his degrees in chemistry and pharmaceuticals, with additional study in biochemistry It was then that he did his first film role with former pupils of St Josephs who were doing a film course. Steve had done stage before including an opera, at the Orchard theatre, while at the naval college. This short film was followed by scripts separately written by Steve and the writers of the short film. Steve then worked at the Royal Opera House. While working at Treasure Publishing as writer, sub editor and proof reader, Steve and the publisher developed a radio station in London which made a few preliminary broadcasts. He also filmed with the African Pentecostal church that the owner of the company was involved with. After this he was invited to undertake a physics and engineering degree, completing two years in one year he had the time to study at Ravensbourne on the broadcast engineering and film course, finishing the first of the two year course, then studying part time at Goldsmiths and Rose Bruford on the acting, performance and design courses. Prior to this and up to 2010 Steve worked on various projects in the art, drama,media,music and psychology departments. One of the long term projects was the psychological study of ESP and altered states of consciousness. The PhD research won an international award. Steve was also attending doctoral lectures in the music department and later did the online Edinburgh University classical music course. Steve also trained as a sound engineer and music producer. This was part of the course at Ravensbourne and another undertaken later at a recording studio.
In 2009 while completing the electricians course, Electrical Installation III, he was subject to an unprovoked GBH in Plumstead, South London. Later a neighbor was racially abused and threatened with a knife in front of her three year old child by members of the same group; there had been knifing before and since including fatalities. Steve immediately pursued justice for his neighbor and himself and repeatedly criticized Plumstead CID and Greenwich Council for their failure to address the violent gang in the area and the dangers, later narrowly avoiding being knifed himself. This is the same borough where Stephen Lawrence was murdered.
Between 2010-2013 he returned to journalism and editing on a few print and online papers.
In January 2010 his sister Bernadette suffered near fatal head injuries and only survived due to the skill of a leading neurosurgeon. However she remained in a permanent vegetative state until her death on 27 October 2010. The nature of the injuries were described as an immediate murder case by senior ranking police but nothing was done. Steve had also studied forensics and was able to substantiate that Bernadette's injuries were not natural causes.
In 2011 while directing a play while staying at a location that was part of his and Bernadette's childhood, Steve collapsed unconscious and was ill for days. The doctors' diagnosis was PTSD and other complications resulting from the trauma of Bernadette's homicide. The condition continues to this day with regular bouts of symptoms. From then there was only a few audio voice overs done and design work by Steve until 2015 when he started to return acting and working in lights, cameras, sound and design. By December 2016 he was writing and directing again, undertaking his scripted version of King Lear and writing a sequel Memoria Draco. This led to a Hollywood scripted film being given to Steve. The progress on these and other projects being slowed due to the recurrence of Steve's illness resulting from Bernadette's death.
In between filming and bouts of illness, Steve continues to practice the collection of instruments: organs, piano, violins, cellos, 25 guitars, accordion, various recorders, oboe, French horn, trumpet, sitar, penny whistles, mandolin, flute and clarinet. Some recording of news programs and ongoing historical and cultural research for scripts and his love for the sciences and astronomy, and returning to practicing art. In 2018 he finally became ordained as a reverend in the Universal Life Church (not the ULC monastery). Spirituality has been a central part of his life since childhood. All his film productions include a thanks credit to his father, sister, Marie Villette the founder of his convent and someone whom his company is named after AJF.
