Richard began writing & producing way back in 1992. A very different world in those days; Very little in the way of internet, our best friend Google was just a glimmer in the thoughts of Larry Page & Sergey Brin.
Something of a serial entrepreneur, his first business was a Motorcycle Dispatch company founded in 1982. In the early 90s ‘Hazelgrove Dispatch’ took a major step when the business began to work in the pharmaceutical industry.
It was during this time that Richard began writing live interactive murder mystery shows. It seemed sensible to train in the arts if this was to become a viable business. To this end Richard attended the LCTS drama school in London on a part time basis and studied theatre in the community in Portsmouth.
By the early 2000s ‘Katchakilla’ murder mystery was producing and performing hundreds of Murder mystery events around the country. Recruitment and training of actors was all carried out in house. At this time Richard was approached by a Police force to provide actors for initial role play training of recruits. Other clients followed including HM Prison service and training for senior officers in the Metropolitan Police.
A major change came in 2010 with the realisation that a different model would be needed to make the business operations scalable.
The decision to re write the scripts to allow professional actors local to delivery point to be utilised. Today, through online casting services we are able to offer our services anywhere in the UK.
Over the years the business has bent with the winds of financial boom & bust from being a limited company to converting to a sole trader during & since the Covid restrictions. Richard worked throughout the pandemic using the skills learnt over the years to work with people living with dementia as a carer and activities co ordinator during those difficult times.
2025 brings new challenges and an exciting future for Acting Services.