Name: Dino Bishop
Profession: I started training to be a teacher at university, but somehow drifted into printing, which is my day job. What takes up a lot of my free time is my involvement in the Lewes Operatic Society. I’ve done a lot of jobs in the group, from directing to designing sets, but my main role is as business manager, which boils down to dealing with publicity. I’ve performed a lot, as well, from parts in the chorus to main roles. In the current production, Oklahoma!, which starts on Monday, I’m playing Ali Hakim, a Persian pedlar. I’m struggling with the accent, which veers anywhere from Borat to New York Bronx.
Anything else? I also wear my radio hat when Rocket FM is on the air. I do the morning show. This might appear to have a lot of kudos, but the reality is that no one else wants to get up at 6.30am. Apart from Ruth O’Keefe, who co-hosts the show.
Are you local? I’m originally from Gloucester. I had an ooh-arr accent, but I went to Durham University and came out of that sounding posh. I spent five years in London, and then got a job in Uckfield. I commuted for a bit, but everyone there said Lewes was a lovely town. I had a look and realised they were right. I’ve been living here 10 years now, and I wouldn’t live anywhere else.
What do you like about Lewes? The sense of community. Everyone gets involved in so many different things here. There are so many groups and societies: it’s like one long university Freshers’ Fair.
What don’t you like? I’d love to have my own personal parking space outside my house.
What’s your favourite pub? The Lewes Arms when I get it back. Which I will one day. It’s not theirs, it’s ours.