Gareth Birkett is an award winning television director known for his work on popular reality and entertainment shows. He has gained recognition for directing the hit series Love Island, Cheaters: Unfinished Business and the Netflix reality show Snowflake Mountain. Birkett has established himself in the industry by working on primetime series for major international streaming platforms and terrestrial broadcasters.
Throughout his career, Birkett has demonstrated versatility in his directorial approach and his ability to tackle different types of content. Birkett works as a freelance director, which allows him to contribute to a diverse range of projects across different production companies and networks.
Birkett’s success in directing high-profile shows and his ability to work with major players in the entertainment world highlight his skill in managing large-scale productions and delivering content that resonates with audiences. His contributions to the reality TV landscape have helped shape some of the most popular programs in recent years, making him a notable figure in contemporary television directing.
Davey Naylor is a versatile UK theatre producer and stage manager with a rich background in the performing arts. He began his career as an electrician and stage manager before joining the Reduced Shakespeare Company (RSC) in 1996, where he toured globally with various productions. Throughout his career, Davey has held multiple roles, including Assistant Stage Manager (ASM), Deputy Stage Manager (DSM), lighting designer, tour manager, and producer.
His extensive credits span prestigious regional theatres, London’s West End and the Edinburgh Festival. In 2016, family commitments led Davey to relocate to Berkhamsted, marking a shift in focus after two decades in the West End. While his involvement in theatre has lessened, he has successfully transitioned to managing a web design business and working in IT.
Davey’s journey from theatre electrician to producer and now digital entrepreneur showcases his adaptability and resilience. His rich experience in the performing arts continues to inform his approach to project management and creative problem-solving, as he remains committed to exploring new opportunities while drawing on his artistic background.
Matt Rippy is an American actor, writer and director, born in Missouri, raised in Texas and now residing in the Hertfordshire Hills. Rippy trained at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in Houston and was a member of the Alley Repertory Theatre company for three seasons.
In 1994 Rippy relocated to England where he joined the Reduced Shakespeare Company for what would become a record breaking run in the West End. He would go on to perform, develop and direct with the Reduced for the next twenty years.
Rippy first appeared on television in 1995 with a guest appearance on Goodnight Sweetheart for the BBC in the UK. He now has over 40 TV and film credits to his name. In 2020 his episode of Torchwood, in which he plays the role of the real Captain Jack Harkness, was voted Best Episode by Fans in a Radio Times survey. He most recently appears in the series Glória on Netflix.
In 2016, Rippy launched Berko Stage to produce stage plays and events in Berkhamsted including The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), A Holiday Hee Haw, Comedy Night! and Bubbling Cauldron (a live music Halloween extravaganza).
Stay tuned for upcoming film projects: a can’t-be-named-yet feature film from Sony Pictures and an epic WW2 bio-pic from Pathé.
