David Morgan
David hails from Bournemouth and from the age of six to fourteen trained in Ballroom and Latin American Dance.
Early Dance training was taken at The Stage Door School of Dance and Drama in Bournemouth under the direction of Maureen Headford. My time at the Stage Door was such a special time for me as Maureen was instrumental in my decision to go into the Theatre professionally. I remember it was rather daunting at first……being the oldest pupil at the school and one of the very few males! I remember my first class with Maureen. This was early seventies so I turned up in tight lilac flares!!!! No dance belt!!! Maureen explained to me the correct clothing for class was essential! My first ‘Dance Belt’ was a wonder!!!!!!!! I think I must be the only person to try the thing on back to front!!! Not an easy manoeuvre! The atmosphere at Stage Door was terrific Maureen’s passion for teaching, the family feel and camaraderie were exemplary . Maureen managed to get me a private audition for Doreen Bird and her Performing Arts College. I was lucky to receive a three year scholarship from Doreen. I was on my way. Again, the oldest boy of only three at the College it was the best time…..I found my vocation.
David graduated from the Bird College of Performing Arts in 1977 and has performed in many musical shows and films including MARILYN at the Adelphi Theatre, DEAR ANYONE at the Cambridge ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS and a Zucker Brothers film TOP SECRET.
As a choreographer credits include HIGH SOCIETY at West Yorkshire Playhouse, TREASURE ISLAND at Theatr Clwyd , SNAP OUT OF IT! a play on mental health, Maltby and Shire’s CLOSER THAN EVER at the Library Theatre Manchester and the first Festival of Musicals at Buxton Opera House, Duke Ellington’s SOPHISTICATED LADIES national tour and Gielgud Theatre London. National tours include DAMES AT SEA, THE WIZARD OF OZ, OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR, GODSPELL, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE PIED PIPER, THE ADVENTURES OF MR TOAD , THE BOYFRIEND, YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN and CORA La Grand Horizontale which opened the first New York International Theatre Festival at SUNY on Long Island.
The BAFTA AWARD WINNING , YOU’RE MOTHER WOULDN’T LIKE IT for Central TV (3 series) and THE MEDAL SONG , a promo video for Boy George.
Directorial credits include TOMFOOLERY, PETER PAN, twice, with Matthew Kelly and Ron Moody, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, ALADDIN and SANTA CLAUS and the Return of JACK FROST and CINDERELLA at the Mayflower in Southampton with Christopher Biggins, Matthew Kelly and Stefanie Powers. Resident Director on LA CAVA at the Victoria Palace and Piccadilly Theatres London and Production Director and Choreographer for Cruising Musicals Consortium directing and choreographing musicals and plays on both MV Oriana and Aurora cruise ships including HALF A SIXPENCE, HIGH SOCIETY, ELVIS, GREASE, RAVE ON, THE BLUES BROTHERS and RED HOT & FOSSE.
David directed ME & MY GIRL at Lincoln’s Theatre Royal and the 21st Anniversary Production, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN also at Lincoln. David is UK Production Director of Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS with seasons at Edinburgh Playhouse , Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff and The Lowry Salford Manchester.
David choreographed the new production of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG and recently Directed and Choreographed ALADDIN starring Lily Savage, by kind permission of Paul O’Grady!!
David is also a director of Michael Rose Limited. Michael Rose and David Morgan formed their production company in 1987. Transfers from London’s West End include STEEL MAGNOLIAS and the Olivier Award winning productions of HOT SHOW SHUFFLE and TAP DOGS. West End of London includes Duke Ellington’s SOPHISTICATED LADIES at the Gielgud, Pam Gem’s MARLENE at the Lyric, nominated for two Olivier Awards, SWEET CHARITY at the Victoria Palace, FOOTLOOSE at the Novello and the smash hit musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG at the London Palladium, nominated for three Olivier Awards and winner of the Variety Club Award for Best Musical 2002, also on Broadway New York nominated for five Tony Awards. The show completed four years at the London Palladium and has racked up five successful touring years so far.
Recent productions include – SANTA CLAUS – The Musical at the Birmingham Alexandra, Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS at the Edinburgh Playhouse, Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff , The Lowry at Salford Manchester, The Empire Theatre Sunderland and THE WIZARD OF OZ at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton and currently touring the United States. CINDERELLA, The Musical Pantomime starring Christopher Biggins, Matthew Kelly and Stefanie Powers at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton.
Also A STEADY RAIN with Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig on Broadway in New York and ALADDIN at the Mayflower Southampton with Lily Savage by kind permission of Paul O’Grady!