New Member of Council

Chris Baldock

The ISTD are delighted to announce that Chris Baldock has been made a member of the ISTD Council.

Many of you may remember Chris from his excellent work as Gala Director at the ISTD Centenary Gala held at Sadler’s Wells in September 2004. However, Chris began his career at the age of eleven appearing in Gypsy at the Piccadilly Theatre in 1973. From then on he continued to work in West End theatre and television, which includes Song & Dance, Palace Theatre, London, Anything Goes, Prince Edward Theatre, London, Natalia Makarava Special, Royal Variety shows, Summertime Special, Top of the Pops, Sunday Night Live at the Palladium, Piccadilly’s and Her Majesties!

Chris has choreographed pop videos for artists such as Eternal, Kim Wilde, Denise Van Outen, Phats & Small and Worlds Apart and he staged and directed the successful tour Prisoner Cell Block H - The Musical starring Lily Savage. He was resident director for the hit show Starlight Express, of which he staged the show’s contribution on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 50th Birthday at the Royal Albert hall.

He choreographed and directed the show Rhythm of the Celts that opened to high acclaim at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast. Due to the show’s success it later transferred to the Edinburgh Playhouse. Television shows include Top of the Pops, The Des O Connor show, MOBO awards, Barrymore 2000, Michael Barrymore’s My Kind of Music, and Jane MacDonald’s Star for a Night. Chris also appeared on Channel 4’s popular TV show Faking it. He has staged NIKE sportswear shows throughout Europe, Adidas in London, SPX in Chicago U.S.A. and was at the forefront of Jordan’s Formula 1 launch at the London Palladium.

His work on a major project with UNICEF led to him conceiving and directing the children’s charity gala at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London. Chris has choreographed in all styles of dance whether it be Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip- Hop, Contemporary, Celtic, Musical Theatre or on Roller- skates. His wide range of skills were used for the street dance show Bounce, where he re- adapted the show to tour Europe and eventually it was to be a major hit at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre, being the first of its kind to appear at this established classical theatre.

Sarah Brightman hired Chris to choreograph various songs from her new compilation Harem. This took them to Morocco filming ten videos in ten days!

He has worked alongside many established artists and continues to do so, whether it is teaching them to dance, enhancing their performance level or on a few occasions…. coaching them to roller-skate!