Derek’s recent theatre credits include: The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher (Hammersmith Apollo, 2017), Dinosaur World (also writer, UK Tour 2017, Regents Park Open Air Theatre and UK Tour 2018), Alice in Wonderland by Glyn Maxwell (Storyhouse, Chester, 2017), Sweet Charity by Neil Simon, Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields (Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester 2016/2017), Jess and Joe Forever by Zoe Cooper (Orange Tree Theatre and UK tour, 2016; Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh 2017), Stig of the Dump adapted by Jessica Swale (Storyhouse Open Air Theatre, Chester, 2016), Little Shop of Horrors by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Royal Exchange Theatre, 2014/2015), As You Like It by William Shakespeare (Southwark Playhouse, 2014), Microcosm by Matt Hartley (Soho Theatre, 2014), Shiver by Daniel Kanaber (Watford Palace, 2014), Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon (Watford Palace, 2012), Floyd Collins by Tina Landau and Adam Guettel (Southwark Playhouse, 2012) and Many Moons by Alice Birch (Theatre503, 2011).

His production of Sweet Charity won two Manchester Theatre Awards (Best Musical and Best Supporting Actor for Daniel Crossley) with Kaisa Hammarlund nominated for Best Actress, and was nominated at the UK Theatre Awards for Best Musical and Best Actress (Kaisa Hammarlund). Little Shop of Horrors was nominated for three Manchester Theatre Awards, including Best Musical. Floyd Collins was named Best Musical at the Off West End Awards, and was nominated for Best Musical at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

He is a regular guest director at several drama schools, and has worked at: LAMDA, Drama Centre, Mountview, East15 and Central.

He was Associate Director of Theatre503 from 2010-2011. He is also the creator of the PLAYlist project.

Photo by Harry Livingstone