Michael grew up in Grays in Essex, left school at 18 and went to work in an insurance office in the city. Three years later he quit and went to Art School at Wimbledon to study Theatre Design. Fifteen years as a set and costume designer followed, designing plays and operas all over the UK, and in the US. In the late 1980s he moved to Honor Oak Park where he still lives with his wife, and one of his three (now grown up) children. He ran the undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Performance Design at Central Saint Martins (UAL) for 21 years before retiring in 2020. He can now be found drawing in and around the many green spaces in SE23.
How long have you lived in the area?
Just under 35 years. I moved from North London because It was more affordable, if less convenient for public transport (at the time) but I soon came to love It much more than living north of the river!
What brought you here?
Buying the house and the fact that the SE23 was so much greener than Crouch End where we had been living.
The one thing you would you change?
I would have said transport links but now the Overground is here, the links are fantastic. So, these days I would say I would prefer more recycling facilities… which are there… but not enough.
Do you know your neighbours?
Yes, both sides and many people in the street. There have been many changes. When we came, we were one of the very few in the street who owned the property – most were renting. Now, it’s the opposite – the much younger residents now all own their houses… which they expand rapidly! One of our old neighbours were Rodney Garages – where they once were Is now some very nice houses,
Do you belong to any groups?
I take part in a twice-weekly Tai Chi group on Sunderland Road, volunteer at Lewisham Foodbank (as a driver) in SE6 and have just started a weekly Life Drawing Class In Deptford.
Where are you to be found on Saturday?
Ideally walking or drawing…or listening to the football on ‘5 Live’ whilst cooking. I do like walking ‘the 3 peaks’ – over Blythe Hill, through Ladywell Fields, up to Hilly Fields and then back home to Honor Oak via One Tree Hill
Coffee or tea? Where?
There’s a lot of choice! I like Le Delice next to Ladywell Station, because it’s great coffee and a halfway point on the ‘3-Peaks’ walk! The Rise café on Blockley Rise Is also a hidden gem.
Cafe, pub or bar?
Well, I like all three… my favourite local pub Is Blythe Hill Tavern, the best Irish pub south of the river and the older staff are the most smartly dressed of anywhere In London.
The best kept secret..
Nona Maria on Brockley Rise – small family-owned Italian restaurant. Lovely atmosphere – genuine Italian family cooking. Net Printers in Lewisham centre Is a wonderful facility who have helped me many times with high quality prints.
My perfect holiday..
Summer months in any small city/large town In Italy. I also love the ‘going up north’, especially Derbyshire and Yorkshire, for walking and drawing. Christmases at Scarborough or Whitby are family favourites.
My secret ambition..
It’s a long list…but one Is to stage a devised version of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ with a large group of people (non-performers) in a flexible non-theatre space that is accessible to all. Also, to see my seniors at Southwark Playhouse perform somewhere significant like the National Theatre.