David William Parry (born 25 August 1958), is a published author, poet, dramaturge, Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, active Libertarian and Valentinian (Gnostic) Bishop. He was the founder and chair of Gruntlers' Group.
In the early eighties he moved to London from Fareham in Hampshire. After living in South London for a few years, he graduated in religious studies at King's College London (1990). Later, in 1996, he obtained a Master's degree in Pastoral Theology at Heythrop College, London.
Career
Parry was teaching contemporary English literature, drama, language and semantics. He has given readings as a poet and practising Pagan; delivered lectures, offered sermons and performed public rituals across the United Kingdom since 1996.
Parry founded Gruntlers' in 2008 as a loosely connected group of "Imagist" writers. By November 2009 this group had developed into "Gruntlers' Arts Group", which staged regular multimedia events at the Poetry Place in Covent Garden.
Also, as producer, director and an actor in Gruntlers' Cabaret, he helped to develop Gruntlers Theatre, which performed the "The Botanist Monsieur Jordan and The Sorcerer-Dervish Mastali Shah", written by Mirza Fatali Akhundov, in 2010 at the "Arts Educational School", where he played the character of "Lord Hatamkhan". In the late autumn of the same year, Gruntlers' introduced Imadaddin Nasimi to the English speaking public at Pushkin House, London. In December 2011, he directed the first English language production of "Shakespeare: a comedy in ten scenes, both serious and tragic" (by the Azerbajiani playwright Elchin Afandiyev). Gruntlers' were a three pronged Arts Collective, consisting of a Theatrical Company, a literary salon and an international multimedia cabaret. In the tradition of DaDa, Absurdism and Surrealism, the principal intention of Gruntlers' Theatre was to promote Fringe arts in a contemporary setting.
Gruntlers' finished in 2012 and Parry started "Allting UK", to promote Literature and the Arts. Following financial problems, however, this company has now become Theo-Humanist Arts Ltd.
Recently, he wrote "A preface with smoke and mirrors" as an introduction to Elchin's first collection of plays in English.
Since 2013, David started additional career as a producer at The Azerbaijan Russian State Theatre.
In 2013, David Parry was accused of being a Neo-Fascist by Indymedia UK and Circle Ansuz.
On 3 June 2013 David Parry co-convened an academic conference "Quest of the Heart" with Dr. Minna Koivuniemi, where he read an academic paper, entitled "Henrik Ibsen, Love and the Staging of Kierkegaard's World View". The conference was co-sponsored by the University of Helsinki and University of London.
In July 2013 David Parry produced Elchin Afandief's theatre play "Citizens of Hell", which was reviewed by Digital Journal.
In January 2014, David was made a celebrant for the Fellowship of Independent Celebrants (FOIC). This makes him the first recognised Godhi in United Kingdom with authority to officiate at weddings, funerals, and Child Namings.
On top of this, David has recently extended the reach of Theo-Humanist Arts by co-hosting on the alternative podcast show THA Talks with Paul Obertelli. Furthermore, reviving his credentials in British Surrealism, David has started to co-produce, occasionally write, and direct, for Inlight TV, internet television station.
In December 2014, Parry made history by staging a scene from his play "A Day in the Light" (based on the meeting between Albert Schweitzer and James Cameron) at the British House of Lords.
David Parry and Jez Turner founded the extremist club, as a way to blend serious arts and active politics in 2015.
Parry is convening Arts, Spirituality, and Cern through Kickstarter as a two day conference in February 2016.
Academic Forums
David Parry is a regular round table panellist, contributing academic papers:
- 1996 - Delivered 5 papers on "Mystical Christianity". Theosophical Guest House, Tekels Park, UK
- 2010 - "British Fringe Theatre as Folk Laboratory". First international Theatre Conference. Baku, Azerbaijan.
- 2011 – "Images of Mount Athos in English Literature", (Salzburg, Austria).
- 2012 – "The influence of Athos in the Arts", (Weimar, Germany).
- 2013 – "Orthodoxy, Askesis, and Traditionalist Themes in English Literature", (Belgrade, Serbia).
- 2013 – Panellist at "Modern Mass media and new Challenges" at Baku International Humanitarian Forum.
- 2014 - Panellist for "Religion - What's the point?" at the House of Lords (London, UK)
- 2014 - Panellist and moderator for 3rd Open Central Asian Book Forum and Literature Festival, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
- 2014 - Panellist and guest speaker at Paracon UK, Derby, UK.
Certificates and Awards
- 2011 - Certificate: "Word Union of Culture" for contribution made for cultural contacts between creative people and studios.
- 2014 - Medal: Golden medal for Contributions for developing theatre, Almaty, Kazakhstan at "3rd Open Central Asian Book Forum and Literature Festival"
- 2014 - Certificate: "For the strengthening of peace, friendship and mutual understanding between people" at International association "Generals of the world for peace"
- 2014 - Honorary Life Member of The Doreen Valiente Foundation & The Centre for Pagan Studies for "continued commitment and dedication to the wider Pagan Community".
- 2014 - Certificate of Merit by International Association "Generals of the World for Peace"
- 2014 - Parry was awarded a Fellowship with the Royal Society of Arts (8031816)
- 2014 - Certificate of Continuing Professional Development: "The Artist's Gift - The Contest of Arachne & Athene" Presented by Jim Fitzgerald
- 2015 - Certificate of Continuing Professional Development: "In the Realm of the Ancestors" Presented by Jim Fitzgerald
- 2015 - Certificate of Continuing Professional Development: "Jacob's Ladder: An Adventure in Individuation" Presented by David Freeman
- 2015 - Certificate of Continuing Professional Development: "Incest and the Myth of Myrrha" presented by Julian David
Publications
Parry has published a number of reviews, experimental essays and literary introductions, including:
- "Caliban's Redemption" (Mandrake 2004 / Finatran),
- "The Grammar of Witchcraft" (Mandrake 2009),
- Preface to Gulvin's "Pyramid theory of Marriage", (2009)
- Editor: Akhundov's "Botanist Monsieur Jordan and the Sorcerer-Dervish Mastali Shah", (2010)
- "Preface to Elchin: My favourite Madman and other Plays", (2012)
- "National Anarchism: Methodology and Application" (2013) – Essay entitled "Heathenism and Tradition of Dissent"
- TEAS Magazine June 2012 (Page 13) – "Getting 'The Hump' at Eurovision"
- "Deconstructing Mount Athos: An Image of the Sacred in English Literature" - Tradition (2015)
- "Performing Gnosis: A Few Investigative Jottings" - C. G. Jung Club London Newsletter Summer 2015 (Page 6)
- "THE COURAGE TO BE" - Norskk
- "My Homeland, Oh My Crimea" (Silk Road Media 2015): as Editor
- "The Plight of a Postmodern Hunter" (HERTFORDSHIRE PRESS 2015): as Editor
- "Goethe and Abay" (HERTFORDSHIRE PRESS 2015): as Editor
- "The Wormwood Wind" (Silk Road Media 2015): as Editor
- "THE HOLLYWOOD CONUNDRUM OR GUARDIAN OF TREASURE" (Silk Road Media 2015): as Editor
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