+44 (0)161 295 6055
r.metcalf@salford.ac.uk

Roland was born in King's Lynn, where he produced, wrote, directed and appeared in the first ever late-night revue for the King's Lynn Festival in 1964. He originally studied sciences at Edinburgh University, but after a spell of teaching in an FE college moved on into a theatre career as a lighting designer and writer/director. As a freelance LD, he designed for the New Opera Company; as a writer, he made new stage adaptations of Pinocchio and The Wizard of Oz, as well as creating original work for his Theatre-in-Education company.

Roland came to Salford in 1971, to develop drama at the then Salford College of Technology, starting the Foundation Drama course in 1975 which apart from laying the foundations of several successful professional careers also laid the foundations for the University's present drama and performance courses.

Roland's theatrical interests are wide. He continues to produce the occasional set and lighting designs, especially when he is directing a play. Recent research has been in the area of theatre semiotics, specifically in the use of theatre reviews as a source of information about the acting in past performances, and he is always on the lookout for informative reviews. Currently he is working on a book on the structure and management of British Theatre and writing a new play.

Roland is now a Visiting Fellow in the School.