Darian Nelson first appeared on stage at the age of eight and was playing Shakespeare roles by thirteen. He studied English and Drama at King Alfred’s College, University of Winchester, where he ran The Student Theatre Company and appeared in dozens of productions culminating in a stint at The Edinburgh Fringe. As both actor and director he has been involved in an enormous and diverse range of productions since moving to Bath in 1994 and for 10 years he regularly directed Shakespeare in the Park with Sophie, raising thousands of pounds for charity in the process. He has also turned his hand to writing on occasion, under his nom de plume, Ralph Saunderson and has scripted plays for Playing Up such as The Dreadful Penny and The Interview.  He also adapted and directed some of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales as an open air production.

Darian recently took early retirement from his role as Head of Drama at a school in Bath and, when he is not acting, directing, producing or stage managing, his other skills include stage lighting, sound effects and set design and construction.