An Actor’s First Steps! Sir Dirk Bogarde (born Derek Niven van den Bogaerde) was born in West Hampstead, North London. In 1935 after several property moves in London and a series of happy holidays in Sussex, the Bogaerde family moved to Chailey. Derek began his acting career treading the boards at Newick working with kindred spirit Lionel Cox who founded NADS and built the theatre (now the Village Hall) coincidentally named after Derek his own son and still known by some as the ‘Derek Hall’. He appeared on stage in ‘Alf’s Button’ (1938) and ‘Journey’s End’ (1939) also working backstage and he co-wrote a NADS play. His mother Margaret van den Bogaerde a former actress, in fact produced NADS plays for some years. Derek Bogaerde changed his name to Dirk Bogarde to launch his acting career proper and following a lifetime of film acting and writing was knighted for his contribution to the performing arts. He was asked to become President of NADS, an offer which he graciously accepted. He always wished to kept properly informed of NADS activities, taking a close interest in the Society. Dirk Bogarde has written many books and there are also a number books about his life and times, including the excellent and complex authorised biography simply entitled ‘Dirk Bogarde’ by John Coldstream, which any fan of this remarkable man is advised to read, there are references to NADS within its pages. Check out our ‘Links Page’ for a link to the official Dirk Bogarde website. Sir Dirk Bogarde Photo - Tom Murray/ NADS Archive Dirk Bogarde was not the only professional actor that has in the past been associated with NADS. Francis De Wolff produced ‘Thark’ back in December 1933. Later he became well known as a character actor, appearing in many Hammer Horror films and James Bond ‘From Russia With Love’. Television appearances included ‘The Avengers’, ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘The Saint’.