Finding life on a small daily newspaper increasingly dull, Steve Orme quit his job as a cub reporter and went to work in London for the fledgling record company Magnet. But instead of enhancing the career of a band he'd signed to the label, he found himself promoting Alvin Stardust's debut single My Coo Ca Choo to the unsuspecting British public. He left London before the record reached number one in the charts and dabbled in promoting live entertainment and sports journalism.

The lure of the capital returned and Steve became chief sub-editor for Record Mirrorat a time when punk rock and new wave were pogoing their way into the nation's psyche.

Again it was only a temporary foray. Steve, who didn't succumb to the temptation to have safety pins inserted into his skin or clothes, went back to the East Midlands to pursue a journalism career which eventually led to a freelance role, writing for radio and television as well as newspapers.

23 years ago Steve's life changed when he met Sue. They were soon married and found they shared the same passion - theatre.

Steve's research for a television documentary about the Shakespeare authorship controversy fuelled a passionate interest in the Bard. He produced and directed a condensed version of Macbeth on video which is being sold in schools and is looking at filming other plays for his series called Shakespeare for the Modern Age.

He also scripted, produced and directed a documentary celebrating 100 years of the Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company.

He also works part-time lecturing broadcast journalism students at Nottingham Trent University.

Steve has been covering the East Midlands for the British Theatre Guide since November 2002.

Steve's website: www.steveorme.co.uk.