David comes from coastal Somerset. He trained in script-writing at Bournemouth and directing at BOV.
He started his career as a theatre director and has worked at the Yvonne Arnaud, Colchester Mercury, Theatre by the Lake, York Theatre Royal and Bristol Old Vic among others; productions have included ‘HAIR’, ‘CRAZY GARY’S MOBILE DISCO’ and ‘SALAD DAYS’. He also devised, directed and designed the UK premiere tour of ‘A DISTANT COUNTRY CALLED YOUTH’, based on the writings of Tennessee Williams. It got five star reviews, one critic saying, ‘An inspiration to anyone, particularly the young, to follow their dreams’.
David enjoys creating performances with young people and those with specific needs. He has been involved in new writing projects at Southwark Playhouse and has designed and delivered training at several leading UK drama schools.
David has been mentored by film, theatre and television professionals including Richard Kwietniowski (Owning Mahowney) and Gilles Mackinnon (Hideous Kinky, Regeneration, Small Faces etc) and Mike Holden (Sherlock Holmes).
He has recently written his first feature screenplay, ‘SPRING IN JUNE’ – set near where he grew up – and has also directed a pilot for the film. Other screen projects include a Writer’s Room proposal for Fiction Factory Films, story-lining a micro budget sit-com and several feature treatments (please see ‘ADDITIONAL SCREEN PROJECTS’).
Ed Thomas (Fiction Factory Films) describes both David and his characters as possessing a ‘Renegade Spirit’.
David is represented by Pauline Asper Management:
e: pauline.asper@virgin.net
t: 01424 870412
ADDITIONAL SCREEN PROJECTS:
GHOSTS OF MANN (feature - treatment available)
In a starving post-apocalyptic Britain seven prisoners are forced to vote on who will be eaten but as they battle for humanity one discovers the delusions infecting their reality are a means to survival.
FISH DIVE (feature)
Details to follow.
CHASING RAINBOWS (feature)
Details to follow.
IN THE MOMENT (sitcom)
Details to follow.
REVIEWS OF THEATRE WORK:
An Inspiration to anyone, particularly the young, to follow their dreams British Theatre Guide (Yvonne Arnaud)
Beautifully acted and cleverly staged - a worthy tribute to the writer on what would've been his 100th birthday.
North West Evening Mail
(Theatre by the Lake)
A SUPERB performance and matching production values are central to this dramatization... masterly, movingly provided the very essence of Williams.
Gloucestershire Echo
(Cheltenham Everyman)
A wonderful tour-de-force... Through this perfect performance, we are able to spend 90 minutes in the company of this "whining spineless cissy"
5/5 Stars - The Public Reviews - Michael Gray
(Colchester Mercury)
REFERENCES:
"Having seen David Wike's production of Hair, that for the first time was made very clear in terms of location, story telling and captured the essence of the era, I went to see his latest production "A Distant Country Called Youth" which was even more thrilling. The story of the rise of Tennessee Williams to the first performance of The Glass Menagerie was told through an abundance of his letters and gave us great insight into the working mind of the man. Williams was beautifully acted by Oliver Andrews and instinctively directed by David Wike. This was an innovative and stylish production that was among the best in biographical theatre."
GERRY TEBBUTT (Director/Actor/Head of Performance at G.S.A.)
"David is a joy to work with as a Director. He has a great understanding of the needs of the various other members of his artistic team. He gives them the time and space they need to produce their best work for the production. This produces a hugely creative environment for all involved and for the good of the whole production. David is blessed with that rare gift of being able to draw the best out of his actors. He works from a deep understanding of the text bringing emotion, truth and storytelling to the fore, resulting in wonderful quality work. Having had the pleasure of working as choreographer with David on 4 productions over the last eighteen months ranging from musicals to plays with music, I am looking forward to the next time that we can work together again."
JILL FRANCIS (Choreographer)
"He (David) creates an atmosphere of ease for an actor to bring raw ideas nurture them and mature into a polished product... It is reassuring and refreshing to work with a director who knows what they want but isn't afraid to experiment and learn from their actors"
OLIVER ANDREWS (Actor)
Further references are available from Brian Kirk (General Manager of the Yvonne Arnaud), Mike Holden (Script Development), David Pope (Film and Screen) and others.
David's full C.V. is available upon request.
Spring in June (feature) Drama Dodging exploding seagulls and speed date nightmares a teenage girl and dying man discover imagination can inspire their hearts, elevating them beyond expectations.
PLEASE SEE UPLOADED C.V. OR CONTACT PAULINE ASPER (AGENT) pauline.asper@virgin.net
by Multiple: Through the Looking Glass Productions, GSA, BBC, York Theatre Royal, Bristol University, Pintsize etc
Multiple: Director (stage and screen), Writer, Script Editor and Storyliner, Acting Tutor/trainer and course designer.
London Film Academy
(2003-2004)
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School - Director Attachment (post grad)
(2003-2004)
East 15 - Actor Training (Summer)
(2003-2004)
Rose Bruford - Actor Training Symposium
(2003-2004)
Bournemouth University - Scriptwriting for Film and Television (BA Hons 2;1)
(2003-2004)