A RENOWNED film and theatre critic has stepped behind the curtain using his home village of Bradfield as inspiration for his debut production in London.

James Christopher, former chief film critic of The Times, deputy theatre editor at Time Out and chief theatre critic of the Sunday Express, has left his career in journalism to try his hand at writing and directing.

The father of two, who has lived in the village for 10 years, said his rural surroundings helped him come up with the idea of Charlie's Dark Angel, a black comedy about the chance meeting of two old schoolfriends.

After years judging the shows other people had put together, James now finds himself on the other side of the crtitic's pen.

"All the horrible things I've said have come back to haunt me," he said.

"I look back at myself when I was chief theatre critic for the Sunday Express and think 'did I really say that about someone?"

He added: "But I have had fantastic feedback from audiences, all incredibly positive."

  •  Charlie's Dark Angel is being shown at the Drayton Arms, in Old Brompton Road, London, until March 28. Tickets are £16.

For more information visit www.thedraytonarmssw5.co.uk