A SALISBURY nursing assistant has landed a starring role in Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet.

Dan Avery, who works in accident and emergency at Salisbury District Hospital as well as being a professional actor, has been cast in the leading role of Hamlet at the Minack Theatre in Penzance, Cornwall.

He says: “I have always wanted to play Hamlet since I was 17. I have had numerous auditions for him and either didn't get the part or was cast as someone else.

“For me this has been a journey of discovery for myself and in some ways bettered me as a person. I have got fitter and in shape for the role, grown and styled my hair to suit.

“I have read a plethora of books on the subject and philosophy of Hamlet as well as studying the annotations of Shakespeare.

“I have played many leading Shakespearean roles over the years but I would be happy to admit this is my greatest and favourite, so I am putting my all into it and really bearing me soul.”

In 2015 Dan combined his love of acting and nursing to direct Tissue – a play about breast cancer which was written by Louise Page. It raised £2,500 for the Stars Appeal breast cancer unit.

Dan, who has being acting for more than 10 years, says: “It will be a completely different version of Hamlet with the characters coming out of the action to show their thoughts.

“I am playing Hamlet with a lot more soul and heart as opposed to the arrogance and madness that is usually portrayed.

“The production has a 80s rock/pop feel to it with particular reference to the "minds eye", the journey of the soul, the decay of old into the new and Hamlets duality of man and the unanswered questions.

“There's much more comedy, love, action and suspense than any other Hamlet production I have seen.”

The senior nursing assistant says the hospital and his colleagues have been “really supportive”. His colleagues have already been buying tickets to see the show.

A preview performance is being held on May 30 at the Mitre Theatre, Croydon and it runs from June 4-8 at the Minack Theatre.

The play is produced by Another Way Theatre and directed by Chris Chambers.

For tickets go to anotherwaytheatre.co.uk or minack.com