Murder One’s much loved character actor Nigel came late to acting at the age of 50, following an initial career as a scientist, and a second career working in Health and Social Care. Following a period of working for pizza and travel expenses in student productions, Nigel was soon picked up by both Murder One and the Northern based pop-up cinema company, Sneaky Experience, where he honed his improvisational, immersive theatre skills, whilst at the same time building up his own portfolio of work as a writer.
Nigel also performed on stage for The Watson Players while he was living in the East Midlands, which is where he first tread the boards in earnest, and where he successfully applied to study Theatre at Nottingham University as a mature student, although he ended up studying for a Masters in Creative Writing at Bangor University instead
Nigel flew through the auditions at Murder One in 2013. He very quickly became Aidey’s right hand man, second in command, shotgun in the mystery machine, and the 1st name on the team sheet. In every murder mystery he was the first to arrive at rehearsals and the last to leave. He’d help Aidey and the cast in every single way, and would always take the newbies under his experienced wing to make them feel welcomed, reassured, confident and at home in the Murder One ‘family’. Everyone found him so naturally talented, inspiring and funny – a truly brilliant actor as well as writer, so supportive to everyone, and an absolute gentleman.
Nigel has also played the character of Uncle Keith in the films “The Goodbye Girl” and “Flower Boy”, both written and directed by Murder One’s Aidey Pugh.
Whilst living in Wales, Nigel occasionally appeared in the Welsh soap opera “Rownd A Rownd” as a hospital porter and local resident. He was also in a number of film productions shot in the region during the time he lived there. These include the Gothic horror film, “Gwen” starring Maxine Peake, “Dragon Fury”, and “The Parting Glass”, amongst others.
Nigel balanced his acting work with his work as a writer, being commissioned to write a horror film and also writing a stage adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s “Masque of The Red Death” for Interplay Theatre in Leeds, as well as working with the community of Bramley, assisting them with their Leeds 2023 cultural History Trail, in both his capacity as a writer and as an actor.
If you’ve seen Nigel in action, in ANY capacity, please do feel free to leave your own memories of this remarkable and much loved actor.
15 Comments
Mark Jagger
I grew up with Nigel. From an early age he showed great interest in books and performing on stage. My earliest memory is of him in a school production of Brad Rabbit. It’s so good to see he’s finally followed his dream and got to do what he loves and is good at. I’ve seen him at work in a couple of films I downloaded( specifically because he was in them) . I laughed watching him play the Taxi driver in a comedy piece filmed in Leeds. If it made me laugh then he’s doing his job right, by that I mean he’s convincing. Some can pull it off and some can’t ( even some on the telly now) Nigel can definitely pull it out of the bag. I’m pleased to boast I know an actor
Tracey Chaplin
In our early years, Nigel and I went to the same schools and we both performed in school performances. I always knew Nigel would become an actor.
His solo performance as a Rabbit at such a young age of 7 was charming, engaging and full of humour which captivated the whole audience.
In later years, his performance as a repulsive nightmare taxi driver waiting for his fare to arrive was gritty, believable and humorous performance was also thought provoking too!
As an individual he’s a kind, sensitive and very engaging person I’m proud to have crossed paths with in real life.
Linda
Absolutely brilliant actor on a murder mystery night the other week, your skills really stood out but the other cast members were great too!!
Nigel Stone
Hi Linda,
Thank you so much for your kind comment, it genuinely means a lot to me, knowing what you thought of my performance. Like a lot of actors I know, I suffer from terrible bouts of self-doubt, so your praise has definitely given me a boost!
Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Nigel Stone
Matt
First time meeting him I accused him of writing a letter and cheating on his partner at a murder mystery experience. He said bluntly that’s not even my initial you prick. I quickly gathered they would be intense and amazing mystery experiences. After meeting him several times bubbly and a lovely guy. He truly was a wonderful man ❤️
Nikki
I’ve attended 2 murder mysteries. Nigel was clearly very talented and very believable when in character. He will be missed x
LEastwood
We found Nigel to be the life and soul of these murder mysterys. He throw himself whole heartily into each character. He was a joy to interact with and always made the evening one to remeber. After the event he always made time to come and talk to us to see if we guessed correctly. We will miss him
Michelle
At our first murder one dinner party with my mum and sister, from finding our seats, we witnessed Nigel in a heated conversation with another guest. Wondering if 2 guests were having a tiff, we quickly learned it was part of the story. During the evenings we attended, and after, both in character and talking to him as Nigel, he was a great guy, friendly, fantastic actor and made the evenings memorable. The whole production is fab and he will be missed at the next one we book. RIP Nigel and thank you for the laughs and the shocks! X
A.Flavel
Frequented 2 shows where this gentleman stole the show with his outstanding contribution to the performance. An amazing character actor and one who will live in our memories well. Thank you sir.
Heidi
I met Nigel at one of his murder mystery events a few years ago , loved it, i could tell he put everything into becoming his character, all the actors were brilliant. I was lucky enough to chat with him personally outside the venue when we were chatting about the mystery machine, he was such a kind soul and the way he spoke about everyone and upcoming events was beautiful to hear. He definitely loved what he did. It was a pleasure to meet him, he will be missed by so many. Rip Nigel sadly gone but never forgotten x x
Charlotte
I only worked with you twice but I remember it well. You were so inspiring to work with.
An absolute gentleman off stage. The best lovable rogue on stage.
You will be sadly missed but fondly remembered for your talent, wit, humour and generosity.
Heartbreaking. A true legend on and off stage.
Nicola
Tribute to Nigel
I was lucky enough to see Nigel during a murder mystery night, and he was absolutely brilliant. He took the time to talk to me and my partner, and I warmed to him immediately — he had that special aura that drew you in. I was so looking forward to seeing him perform again, but it’s with a heavy heart that I know that will never be.
Rest in peace, Nigel. I was shocked and saddened to hear of your passing, but I’ll never forget how you made my first murder mystery experience so exciting with your wonderful talent and presence. I’m sure your spirit will be felt in every future performance.
Murder One
A BIG BIG thank you to all that have left lovely comments about our main man, top villain, and massively missed heart of Murder One. I know all his family will be lifted by your memories and kind words xxx
Dave Blackburn
I have only just found out about Nigel’s passing today, after tagging him on Facebook about Glastonbury ’86, our second Glasto together.
We met working in The Station pub in Crossgates in the late ’70s. He made me my first cassette mixtape. It was mostly John Peel type stuff, although he added a couple of bands that he thought I’d like, I remember He introduced me to a whole bunch of bands who I’d never heard of, The Jesus and Mary Chain was one of them, and the one he thought I’d least like. He got that wrong, I loved them the most. I turned him on to Jazz, one Sunday afternoon, when he mentioned it was one genre of music that he’d never got into. I went and got a Miles Davis album, I think it was “In a Silent Way.” He wrote a poem about it years later and it was on YouTube, but I can no longer find it, sadly. We went to countless gigs together after that, festivals too until I moved to Scotland in ’93. We lost touch for a while, the Facebook arrived and we refound each other.
Murder One
Fond memories, Dave. He is massively missed at Murder One, and the events just aren’t the same. He’d be first at rehearsals, and last to leave. The guests loved him on every single murder mystery he did over the last 12 years. And yes he was hugely into his music, and would offer to drive our Mystery Machine many times as the driver was in charge of the playlists! I know he introduced many cast members to various artistes they’d never heard of. We’re all still broken and empty.