A 21-YEAR-OLD actor who starred in a host of shows at Studio Theatre has just completed his first year of training at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

James Bradwell, from Durrington, decided to pursue acting as a career after receiving encouragement from both his peers at the amateur theatre in Ashley Road and also at his former Sixth Form, Bishop’s Wordsworth School (BWS).

He said: “My first year has been incredible. I am in a class of 14 and the Bristol Old Vic is all about making you ready for any challenge as a working actor.

“We are not regarded as students but as professional actors in training. They really challenge the way in which you approach character, but at the same time they are very focused on you as an individual.

“One of my directors, John Hartoch, has said there is largely nothing really new to be seen on stage, the only really original thing is what you bring to it.”

Among the main aspects of training in the first year is a focus on the voice, increasing resonance, breath capacity and the ability to project the voice on stage, as well as working on the body.

“I have yoga and pilates classes regularly,” James said.

“And dance classes in a lot of genres, so that if you are cast in musicals in the future, you have an awareness of the various genres. I’m in the shape of my life doing this course.”

Mock auditions for TV, theatre and musical theatre are also held alongside workshops in TV and radio, the latter being particularly fun, says James.

“I’d never done radio before but absolutely love the whole thing. You don’t need to look the part, you just rock up in anything you like. I love that freedom. It’s just down to your voice.”

Part of the training is already paying off with James soon to be on a boat to Norway to take part in a corporate role-play for a management company.

While he continues to be involved with Studio Theatre and hopes to take part in Salisbury Fringe later on in the year, he was also able to return to BWS earlier this month to lead a masterclass.

“A great way to test what you learn is to teach it,” he said. “I took a few acting exercises and some script work.

“Drama is no longer done at GCSE and A level at BWS and while I didn’t do it while I was there, I was in plays and am happy to do anything that helps keep drama and the arts alive.”

As part of his second year of training at the Bristol Old Vic, James will be performing in a number of shows, firstly to primary schools in Bristol, and then at the end of the year, a West Country tour.

“The tour production is likely to be Shakespeare,” he said. “And it may be coming to Salisbury, I would love to bring it here and have suggested it.”

In his final year, graduate shows will be performed in Bristol theatres such as the Redgrave, the Tobacco Factory and, the Bristol Old Vic Theatre.

The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School was opened in 1946 by Laurence Olivier as a training school for the Bristol Old Vic Company and famous alumni include Daniel Day Lewis, Patrick Stewart, Jeremy Irons, Naomie Harris and Olivia Colman.

* Mr Hartoch, former head of acting courses at the school, who taught both Daniel Day Lewis and Olivia Colman, has recently stepped down from his role.