PAUL SAVIDENT

Norwell Lapley was formed six years ago by Chris Davis. In his early years, Chris had a successful career as an entertainer working with some of this country's greatest stars from Shirley Bassey to Basil Brush.

In 1984 Chris purchased a bankrupt clothing company employing fifteen people. Over the next ten years he developed the business to become one of the leading brands in country clothing; John Partridge, employing over three hundred people. The company was awarded the Queen's Award for Export in 1991. In 1994 he sold the then successful company by way of a management buyout and returned to the entertainment industry, but this time on the business side.

He was instrumental in buying and running the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham together with E&B Productions, and later formed Norwell Lapley Associates Limited.

The company has produced a diverse cross-section of productions from a record breaking tour of London's famous Comedy Store, Animal Crackers in the West End, which was nominated for an Olivier Award and Dreaming by Peter Barnes at the Queen's Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue. In 1999 they produced a major sell-out concert tour starring Jane McDonald, which was played up and down the country culminating in a spectacular performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

2000 saw Norwell Lapley successfully produce a national tour of Gary Wilmot Sings Music to Watch Girls By; Jane McDonald's Summer Spectacular co-starring Joe Pasquale in Bournemouth and a national tour of the Laurence Olivier award-winning show Defending the Caveman starring Mark Little. In 2001 Defending the Caveman went back out on the road again for yet another stomping tour! Bonnie Langford and Her Musicians completed a tour to celebrate her thirtieth year in the business to great acclaim. A Real Audience With Brian Conley toured nationally with excellent reviews after Brian's four year absence from the touring circuit. Mark Little's own show, Mark Little is a Whinging POHM sold out at the Edinburgh Festival in August followed by a five week national tour. 2001 also saw Norwell Lapley produce another tour for Jane McDonald, her most successful tour to date!

Norwell Lapley Associates also undertake a great deal of work within the corporate market. They have produced, devised and staged large conferences, product launches and laid on entertainment for large corporations such as Next plc and have recently worked for Peugeot on the launch of its new 206 car.

Norwell Lapley also has a very successful Management division looking after actors, actresses, comedians, directors and musical directors.