David Shimwell
Artistic Director

David is the founding Artistic Director of Brief Candle Theatre. He is a professionally trained actor, director and teacher with 20 years experience in theatre and television, including productions for the English Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre Education Department, The Royal Exchange in Manchester and others.

His television work includes appearances in many popular shows including Eastenders, Casualty, Hetty Wainthrop and 2 series of Monster Café for Children’s BBC.

David was a Workshop Leader on the Royal National Theatre ‘Interact’ scheme from 1991-1994 devising and delivering many workshops to adults and young people of all ages covering a broad range of theatre and drama topics including Stage Combat, Improvisation, Characterisation, Movement, Acting, Devising, and Shakespeare.

He was Head of Drama at Hope Valley College in Derbyshire from 1999 – 2001. Responsibilities included devising and delivering the Drama curriculum and the PHSE curriculum to students across the secondary age range.

For Brief Candle David has devised and delivered numerous workshops for students and INSET sessions for teachers of English and Drama.

He is an experienced facilitator. He teaches facilitation skills to the Brief Candle company, facilitates many of Brief Candle’s projects and led the Building Schools for the Future countywide consultation with teachers and young people in 2005/6 for the Local Education Authority.

David has directed full productions of Bazaar and Rummage (for Cottongrass Theatre), Clean?, Tight, Shattered, True Colours and Forever (for Brief Candle Theatre), as well as young people’s productions of Romeo and Juliet and The Caucasian Chalk Circle. He has also choreographed stage fights for productions of Romeo and Juliet, The Rover and West Side Story.

David has performed and facilitated in productions of Clean?, Tight, Storyrider, Interference, and The Tower for Brief Candle Theatre.

“I can honestly say this is the most rewarding work I have ever done. I take great pride in what we offer our young audiences and in the excellent working conditions we offer our actors. We have developed positive relationships with all those connected with the company at all stages of the process, from commissioners to audiences, from teachers to the actors who deliver and facilitate our productions. It is our aim that actors leave us better skilled than when they arrive and proud of the important work they have done and of the contribution they have made to the lives of so many young people.”

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