Founder member of Paper Zoo Theatre Company, David J Peel, has built a reputation for himself as a fine character actor with a flair for both comic and dramatic roles. with memorable turns on-stage with the Zoo as Dogberry in 'Much Ado About Nothing'; Jacob Marley in 'A Christmas Carol'; and a menacing Squealer in 'Animal Farm' amongst many others, David has also taken roles on screen. He has worked on short films with students from the Northern Film School; on television in two of the major soaps; and appeared as a harrassed bus driver in the movie Wild Child.
His most recent screen credit, though, is as Mega Scrap Yard Man in Clio Barnard's acclaimed new movie, 'The Selfish Giant'.
"I play a cold-hearted scrap merchant who refuses to let young Arbor Fenton through the gates with his horse despite him having come to Huddersfield all the way from Bradford."
Although only a small role, David's portrayal of the character raises one of the few laughs in the whole movie, providing some welcome light relief.
"I think that the role represents the colder side of life when things just aren't going for you at all" he adds.
The film tells the story of two Bradford lads, Arbor and Swifty, who are both excluded from school and get involved in the shady world of 'scrapping' - acquiring items of scrap metal and selling them on to the big scrap dealers.
"It was only a small cameo role but I feel proud to have been involved in such a brilliant and powerful film...it was a fantastic experience for me, and one that I hope to repeat"
The film was awarded the Europa Cinemas Label as Best European film at The Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, and has had rave reviews since its general release.
