As part of Festival 2019 at the Chichester Festival Theatre two of our pupils, Rudi Millard (9Burrows) and Alex Webb (10Burrows), were cast in the production of The Butterfly Lion. This was a fantastic experience for both of the boys. The production combined music, design and puppetry to bring a magical adventure to life: celebrating nature, friendship and the triumph of love. Rudi describes the experience of taking part:
“In September I began rehearsing up in London for my 3rd professional play. This time it was in Anna Ledwich’s adaptation of the world premier of The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo, directed by Dale Rooks. It was performed at Chichester’s Minerva Theatre.
“In this production I played three different roles, Nathaniel, Bannister and a Soldier; the former being at the top of the show!
“It was a fantastic experience again, working with professional actors, actresses, directors, tech and set designers and movement coaches. I’ve been lucky enough to work in several Chichester Festival Youth Theatre productions too but the challenge of working and being paid for professional plays is a whole different experience.
“There is always an initial feeling of excitement mixed with a little apprehension at the first rehearsal when meeting the entire professional cast for the very first time, but by the end of the production run we were a very close group of actors and actresses. All the professional team always encouraged and supported one another. The Butterfly Lion cast were particularly warm, welcoming and encouraging to all us younger cast members.
“I was also lucky enough to meet Michael Morpurgo, both on the Press night and after the last show. He came and hugged and chatted to me and he had such encouraging words for me in each of my different roles and to each and every other cast member too. Acting is a career I would love to follow in the future and I hope these production experiences will help me get to where I want to be one day.”