Writer
Although my main work is as a director, I have spent much time writing for the stage, and other media. I have written commercially, for advertisements and other marketing material, and I have written the copy for several websites, including a business directory and tourism site for the Cayman Islands. But primarily I have written for the stage; for professional performance and for youth and community groups. I was commissioned to write a play about homelessness, 'Home and Away' for the National YMCA, and have created literally scores of youth theatre productions - musicals and plays - either from scratch or as adaptations of existing work.
Translator
A native English-speaker, I am also fluent in French (spoken and written). I have translated Romeo and Juliet into French (or at least half of it, ready for a bi-lingual production), and several Camus plays into English. I recently worked on a translation of Educating Rita, before directing it in French. I have translated around 10 Ukrainian plays/monologues into French from English; which are now held in the Ukrainian Drama Translations Library, set up by the Ukrainian Institute in partnership with the Worldwide Readings Project and the Birkbeck Centre for Contemporary Theater. I am also on the Ukrainian Institute register of translators: https://ukrdrama.ui.org.ua/en/translator/ian-stephens
Dramaturg
As well as writing my own work for the stage, I have some experience guiding and steering others. I worked with the author Lucy Daniel Raby to turn her successful children's novel 'Nickolai of the North' into a stage musical which I then directed in the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis.
Performer
I don't often get out from behind the camera, but do make the occasional foray onto the stage. Recently, I have appeared in Amélie in Nassim Soleimanpour's fascinating (and demanding!) White Rabbit Red Rabbit, and in Amélie and Villefranche-de-Conflent in our own Theatre for Ukraine fundraising events. Previous appearances include Tim in the musical (yes, a musical!) Salad Days by Julian Slade and Dorothy Reynolds, and Brindsley in Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy.
Event/Festival Organiser
I have spent many years directing and managing venues and festivals. I am now occasionally promoting events in the south of France, including bringing the amazing 'Sinatra & Friends' to Amélie's outdoor arena, and organising diverse music and theatre events. I have just established an international arts festival 'Les Inédits d'Amélie' in the town; first edition was in 2022. You can see more about my work in this area on our website www.amefrance.com or the festival website www.lesineditsdamelie.com
And Finally
Now settled, and fully integrated, into our little Pyrénéen town of Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda, I'm beginning to make myself useful. I work for the Town Hall providing a welcome and assistance to English-speakers, I help with translation, and I'm even working as the English-speaking estate agent for Immotech, an agency based in the town and local area.