Comedy with the Cambridge Footlights, playing the scariest monster in Dr Who, penning searing dramas about the Great War and the Holocaust – London-based David Gooderson has combined all these and much more in his career as playwright, actor, director, and drama tutor.
As a playwright David has specialised in factually-based drama and plays for children. His first play, The Killing of Mr Toad, was premiered at Salisbury Playhouse in 1982, became an acclaimed radio play in 1984 and was successfully revived at the Finborough Theatre, London in 2009. His writing credits include four other plays broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and five plays for children, co-written with David Conville and all produced at the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park. They include a musical adaptation of The Wind in the Willows (music by Carl Davis). This has twice broken Box Office records and played two Christmas seasons in London’s West End.
David has played leading parts in theatres up and down the country. His London appearances include two seasons with the New Shakespeare Company at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park and many appearances at the Orange Tree Theatre. But he is probably best known for his radio and television work, which includes Davros in Dr Who, Simpkins, the Pathologist in A Touch of Frost, and more than 400 broadcasts for BBC Radio. Fuller biography of David Gooderson the actor
David's directing includes The Playboy of the Western World with Stephanie Cole (Salisbury Playhouse) and Staff Direction for English Touring Opera. He directed the premiere of his latest play, Kolbe’s Gift, in 2006 and a revival of his first play The Killing of Mr Toad at the Finborough Theatre in 2009. Fuller biography of David Gooderson the director
David has been the radio tutor at Guildford School of Acting since 1990 directing courses on radio acting and preparing students for the prestigious BBC Carleton Hobbs Radio Drama Award. Since 2001 he has also directed radio courses at the City Literary Institute in London.
Last year David directed a revival of his play The Killing of Mr Toad at the Finborough Theatre, London and acted in a season of plays at Farnham playing Mr Sleary in Charles Dickens’ Hard Times and Eddie Loomis in Quartermaine’s Terms by Simon Gray (photos). He is currently touring as Puck in English Touring Opera's production of Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
The Killing of Mr Toad – the extraordinary true story behind The Wind in the Willows.
War! Lies! And a Packet of Fags! – the Great War and its aftermath–the story of “Woodbine Willie”.
Kolbe's Gift – the inspiring true story of St. Maximilian Kolbe and his self-sacrifice in Auschwitz.
The Castaway – a one-man play about William Cowper, who wrote a comic masterpiece, a favourite hymn and died in lonely despair.Co-written with David Conville:
More about David Gooderson's Radio Plays
e-Mail: david@david-gooderson.co.uk