DEREK MELLING

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Derek began acting from an early age in youth theatre. Whilst there he harboured the ambition of becoming a professional actor. Leaving school as soon as he was legally able, flying high, full of ambition, but with no qualifications, he succeeded in gaining his first role in professional theatre… as an Assistant Stage Manager... This did however allow him to play various small acting roles which, along with sweeping up and making tea, enabled him to hone his craft, whilst learning virtually every other aspect of the theatre business, including rule #1" Make the tea, mix the paint, but don`t confuse the two..."  All of which came in handy during lean times as an actor.

Over the years and between acting jobs he worked as a Stage Manager, Set Designer , Stage Carpenter, Lighting Designer, Prop maker, Flyman, and Fight Arranger..He even turned his hand to Directing, but always found the more technical aspects of theatre far more rewarding and continued to balance the jobs of Actor  and Set Designer for some years..

 

 

As an actor Derek has appeared in many theatre productions, from Shakespeare to Pantomime. These have included roles in HENRY IV, A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, and HAMLET. He worked for many years with Award winning Northern based Certain Curtain Theatre Company, during which time he created the roles of Jim Taylor Alec James and Tommy Sharples, in the acclaimed football musical LEGEND The Tom Finney Story (Charter Theatre). Gang leader Paul Meadow in the violent and controversial UNDERWORLD both on stage (Zion Arts) and on screen…. he also designed the sets and lighting for both productions...  He played Drew in RADIO ROMANCE (National Tour) Kruger in CHILDREN OF THE WOLF (North West Tour) and Map in THE BRICK BALLET (The Dukes)

Other theatre credits include, ABIGAIL`S PARTY, THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND, BEDROOM FARCE, THE ELEPHANT MAN, JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK,  DRY ROT, LOOT, and ROAD, as well as Pantomime tours of CINDERELLA, MOTHER GOOSE and JACK AND THE BEANSTALK.

 

Derek has numerous Film & T.V. credits, and has featured in many music videos, for bands which include, YOUNG GUNS, DRUMSOUND AND BASSLINE SMITH, OF MICE AND MEN,SLEEPING WITH SIRENS and THE KING BLUES.  He played the lead role of Marvin in the multi award winning short film THE ELECTRICIAN (TTVO/TV1 Finland) along with, THE GINGERBREAD MEN, (The Socialeyez Collective) FINAL JUSTICE (Stock Movies) REVELATIONS (Madcutta Films) SILLY GAMES (Hoodlum Media) GARDENERS (T.V. Pilot/Media city U.K.) LOCAL CHAMP (DeadBod Films) and THE MANY DEATHS OF ANNIE MOORE (Media City UK/Channel Four) He was Greg in Alex Chandon`s British Horror Film INBRED (Split Second/New Flesh films)The Boss in ZERO DEVIATION (Silent Productions) and played the leading role of Joe in ASCENSION. (V.L.M. Productions) which received a Best Director award at The Bram Stoker Film Festival 2013.

This year he returns to the stage in Sam Shepards "FOOL FOR LOVE"

Derek is pleased to be once again working with V.L.M. Productions as Robinson in "BAD MEDICINE......