David Needham - Biography
Recent productions:
David has choreographed the new successful version of Hot Stuff, starring Cerri Dupree and the hugely acclaimed version of The King and I, starring Janie Dee, both at the Curve Theatre.
He has also mounted King and I at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, prior to a National Tour, starring Ramon Tikaram and Josefina Gabrielle; and the critically acclaimed revival of Gypsy, starring Caroline O’Connor; and the recent revial of Hello Dolly starting Janie Dee.
David has received many awards both here and abroad for his choreography and in 2002 was awarded The Midlands Arts Award for Best Stage Production for his work on West Side Story at the Leicester Haymarket.
David guest lectures and adjudicates for all the leading dance societies; BBO, ISTD, IDTA, NATD and RAD as well as the All England and Mollylake Awards. David has recently been made an Honorary Member of The British Ballet Organisation for services to Dance.
Training and further Experience
David trained at Sheila Payant School, Manchester and the Arts Educational School (Golden Lane, London).
He was soloist with English Bach Festival and Scapino Ballet, Amsterdam before becoming Principal with Northern Ballet Theatre, where he created and performed many leading roles.
His Musical Theatre Credits include:
- Evita (Tango Dancer)
- Fiddler on the Roof (with Topol)
- Pirates of Penzance (Broadway production)
- Damn Yankees (Fosse part), My Fair Lady
- The King and I (Simon of Legree)
- Hot Stuff (Ballroom Dancer)
- Featured dancer (The Les Dawson Show), and Arlene Phillips Hot Gossip.
TV appearances include:
Young Generation BBC TV, several films and dance documentaries.
As Choreographer:
David’s credits include works for Scapino Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre, Blood Wedding (Contact Theatre), Company (Manchester Evening News Best Musical Award 1990), Cabaret (Sheffield Crucible) starring Sally-Ann Triplett and Andy Serkis, Broadway Bound and Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, Winner of TMA Best Regional Musical Award 1994 (Library Theatre), The King and I, West Side Story, Hot Stuff, Aladdin, Heavenly Bodies starring Sharon-D Clarke, Singing in the Rain, starring Gavin Lee and Helen Way, Oliver (in association with Sir Cameron Mackintosh), starring Linzi Hatley and Sally-Anne Triplett; Peter Pan (Broadway Musical version), and The Wizard of Oz (RSC version), all at the Leicester Haymarket Theatre.
Divorce me Darling (Chichester Festival Theatre) was the winner of the TMA Awards 1997 starring Lilliana Montevecchi, Ruthie Henshall, Marti Webb and Tim Flavin; and Follies at the Royal Festival Hall London, starring Louise Gold, Kathryn Evans and Henry Goodman.
National Tours include:
- King & I
- Hot Stuff
- Calamity Jane
- Sadler’s Wells and National Tour starring Gemma Craven
- The Hobbit
- Assistant to Paul Kerryson on Hello Dolly and 70 girls 70 both starring Dora Bryan.
David has mounted several productions of Coppelia, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Giselle and original works for classical ballet companies both here and abroad.
He spent several years coaching and choreographing in America where he was delighted to work with the renowned Laura Alonso who invited him to visit Cuba to teach and choreograph; also Nana Badrana who appointed him Associate Artistic Director of Western ballet Theatre of Puerto Rico.
