Debbie Radcliffe
Actress, Artist, Writer, Researcher
[SCROLL DOWN FOR INFO!]
Actor, Artist, Writer, Researcher
I’m an experienced and versatile professional actress based in London with a bolt-hole (and studio) in San Francisco.
I also paint, write, research local history and engage with communities as a freelance community planner with JTP Architects and Placemakers.
I sing with Barts Choir, performing regularly at the Cadogan Hall and Royal Festival Hall.
Heritage and communities matter. I am a member of the Bloomsbury Conservation Area Advisory Group www.bloomsburyconservation.org.uk and a founder member of BRAG, the Bloomsbury Residents' Action Group www.brag.org.uk
I am endlessly curious.
Freelance actor since 1980s
I have worked as a professional actor, mostly on stage, since the 1980s - in Repertory theatres and on the London Fringe, as well as touring extensively throughout the UK and Europe in productions of medieval plays, new writing, Shakespeare and modern classics (eg Lady Macbeth and Lady Bracknell). I have toured for a year in ADGE's production of "Romeo & Juliet" (as Lady Capulet and Benvolio) to theatres in Europe, the Middle East, Far East and Malta, as well performing outdoor in castle venues in Scandinavia, Germany, Switzerland & Austria during the summer months. I have worked in Canada (Clea in "Black Comedy") and Australia (Helen Damson in "Gift of the Gorgon"). Roles in London include Kate in "The Taming of the Shrew" (New End Theatre); Nora in "A Doll's House", Sabrina in "The Mask & the Face" (Village Theatre); and Edith Neville in "Jellicoe, the Musical" (Shaw Theatre).
I recently played Annabel Chester in Alan Ayckbourn's psychological thriller "Snake in the Grass" at the English Theatre of Hamburg (2020) - my 9th season with this company.
Over the years I have been cast in a variety of short films, corporate productions and voiceovers, including a DVD recording of "Shakespeare in Court", written by Alexander Waugh.
PLEASE CONTACT MY AGENT
MSFT Management 07917 157748
Freelance artist
I have been an artist all my life.
In the past I have designed posters and painted scenery for several theatre companies, including large scale backdrops and stage coverings.
In the 1990s I set up Fine Art Replicas and produced copies on demand of 20th century paintings by artists such as Kirchner, Kandinsky, and Edward Hopper).
I enjoy capturing the moment - and people-watching - here are some sketches...
I have exhibited with others at The Illustrators Gallery, in the Crypt of St Pancras Church and (many years ago) at the National Eisteddfod in Wales. In 2018 I was invited to exhibit a painting inspired by the Japanese artist, Hokusai, at the Northern Fringe Gallery in Barnsley.
I sketch, draw, paint for pleasure and for sale.
Freelance researcher
I have used interviews / research to provide material for a play (Second City Theatre Company), to provide information for a House of Lords debate on hospital education (for Michael Young, Lord Young of Dartington, founder of the Institute of Community Studies - now the Young Foundation) and to assess the results of a community planning process for a mixed use / residential development at the former Caterham Barracks.
Since 1994 I have regularly researched local history - when required - for an architectural practice (JTP), with whom I also work as a freelance Community Engagement Consultant.
As a personal project I am researching the life and work of an 19th century analytical chemist, inventor, desalination pioneer and acknowledged expert on food adulteration called Dr Alphonse Normandy (1809-1864) - who happened to live and work in my home in the 1850s.
Freelance writer
My creative writing includes a number of short stories that were broadcast on an Australian radio station. Two of these "The Taxi Driver" (see below) and "The Headscarf" received Certificates of Commendation at the 1996 Northern Territory Literary Awards.
I have written and contributed to many reports and articles on collaborative planning, including a Cultural Audit of Scarborough which was published by Yorkshire Forward in 2002
Three articles I have written on Dr Normandy have been published by the Royal Society of Chemistry Historical Group.
In 2007 I took part in a Book in a Day project, inspired by a visit to the Sir John Soane Museum in London.
Community Planner with JTP (Architects, Masterplanners & Placemakers)
Since the 1990s I have combined my creative acting work with project-based community planning events, facilitating workshops, analysing feedback and - most importantly - engaging in "community animation" with people prior to a public event.
I researched, wrote and compiled a Cultural Audit as part of JTP's work with Yorkshire Forward on the Renaissance of Scarborough. I was subsequently asked to speak about JTP's community planning process at a Conference focusing on Culture and Regeneration.
https://www.jtp.co.uk/about-us/people/debbie-radcliffe
Miscellaneous background information
Education: I have a 2:1 (Honours) degree in Drama & English from Exeter University.
In the 1980s and 90s I also worked on and off for the Institute of Community Studies, based in Victoria Park Square, Bethnal Green (now the Young Foundation). As well as working occasionally as Michael Young's personal assistant (Lord Young of Dartington), I was employed on a variety of projects relating to Samizat magazine, the Tawney Society, Health Line, Open College of the Arts and Open School - editing, proof-reading, interviewing hospital educators, talking to local school children about their relationship with with their grandparents, even drawing illustrations.
I provided editorial support to Richard Hollis, author of the Concise History of Graphic Design (Thames & Hudson) and to Charles Campion, author of 20/20 Visions (RIBA)
If you need a proof-reader, editor, researcher, writer - get in touch!
Here's a link to my contribution to a Book in a Day and to a film project called Overheated Symphony where content had to be filmed by a mobile phone. In 2008 this was unusual! [NB - the link to the latter only seems to work on a Chrome browser, not Safari - don't ask me why!]
Some original artwork
All artwork © Debbie Radcliffe - not to be used without consent. Please use contact form below.
Wild waves, acrylics, 2020
Black sheep of the family, acrylics, 2021
The Seven Sisters, acrylics with palette knife, 2021
Blossom, acrylics, 2021
Perfect sailing, acrylics 2020
Racing lambs, acrylics, 2021
A plate of grapes, pastels, 2021
Bark, mixed media, 2021
Hungry bluetit, watercolour, 2021
The face in a rose, watercolour, 2021
Ancient teddy bear, acrylics, 2020
Curious puffin, acrylics 2021
"All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts...."