Falconry expert and kestrel visit cast members of Kes

The cast of SLY Theatre's production of Kes had a visit from Hampstead Norreys falconer Ray Prior and his kestrel at their rehearsals on Monday. Ray Prior is one of the leading falconers in the country, with a wide selection of beautiful birds for display. The kestrel is the bird of prey featured in Kes.
Kes is the well-loved story of a troubled schoolboy Billy Casper living in a poor mining village, who finds comfort in tending a kestrel hawk named Kes. The story has been adapted for the stage from Barry Hines' 1968 novel A Kestrel For a Knave, which was made famous by the 1969 Ken Loach film.
Under Ray's supervision, the cast had the opportunity handle the kestrel, see it flight and talk about the type of equipment used in training.
SLY Theatre perform Kes at New Greenham Arts on Tuesday and Wednesday at 8pm. Tickets are available from the Corn Exchange box office, telephone (01635) 522733.

Newbury student gets taste of movie magic

A NEWBURY student has spent a magical summer in front of the cameras on the set of the latest Harry Potter film.

Twenty-year-old actor Alec Hopkins was cast in May to play the role of young Severus Snape - portrayed in the movie series by Alan Rickman. Alec revealed his resemblance to the famous actor had helped him land the part, which sees him play Snape in a flashback to the Hogwarts teacher's youth.

A former Kennet School and Newbury College pupil, Alec was put forward for the role by the director of the local Shining Lights theatre group, Peter Watt.

After sending in some pictures, Alec was called in for an interview, but faced a nerve-wracking four-month wait for news that he'd secured the part. He said: "I obviously wasn't expecting it. As soon as I heard, I had this really big smile, and was phoning up my mum and my friends saying I'd got it. "Some people didn't believe me, and some still don't!"

After being fitted for prosthetics to make him look more like the sinister Snape, Alec has been able to rub shoulders with the stars on the set of The Order of the Phoenix - the fifth film from JK Rowling's smash hit series of books. Alec said: "Alan Rickman spent a couple of hours having a chat with me about the part and obviously that was nerve wracking; there was me as a nobody and then this famous actor.
"He's very serious about acting but he likes to joke around. It was really nice and it surprised me - I thought a big star would be different but he was so nice." Alec spent time studying previous Harry Potter films, so he could mimic Alan Rickman's movements and gestures.

He said: "The part is pretty easy as it's such a small scene, but because the character has been portrayed by someone before, it's about taking someone's characteristics and trying to copy them.
"I watched how he moved, spoke and the emotions he goes through. He also gave me some pointers about the character - how he would walk and hold himself, like keeping a straight back."
Alec hasn't been allowed to leave the country while the movie is being shot, as he could be called up to London at any moment for more filming. He said: "It's a lot harder than people think it is. So many people are relying on you to get it right. "Everyone is really nice but it's very daunting. You don't realise how many people there are and if you messed up you'd be so embarrassed."

The film is scheduled to wrap-up in October, but Alec is headed to Stafford in two weeks to begin a university course in film production. He said: "It's been a great privilege just to be part of it. It's not just a film, but it's a Harry Potter film." He added: "In the next book, number six, there's nothing about the young Snape. But the seventh book is about to be released next year and no one knows about that one yet, so maybe there'll be a small part in it for me!"

Newbury Weekly News

Shining a Light in South Africa

New Greenham Arts resident youth theatre company Shining Lights experienced a taste of South African culture when members of K-CAP theatre company visited the group on Monday 14th April.

Monday's workshop saw K-Cap choreographer Lucky devise an African dance piece with the group.

The Newbury company was approached at the beginning of the year by Christian Aid who have supported K-Cap's trip to the UK. Both theatre groups joined forces as there share similar ideas about the training and development of young people with an interest in performing arts.

Marketing managaer Xolani 'Chris' Majozi and chorographer Lucky both work with K-Cap and are based in at the Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre in Kwa Mashu, a sprawling township 18km from Durban in South African.

'The workshop was brilliant. Chris and Lucky not only taught us traditional dance but really opened our eyes to South African way of life. We also taught them our drama techniques as well and introduce them to hail storms! ' says Shining Lights member Anna Roberts.

Shining Lights have been invited to work with K-Cap next year where the group hope travel to South Africa and perform with K-Cap and the young people of the Kwa Mashu Community.

Company Manager Melanie Rosier-Watt says' This was a perfect opportunity to expose our members to other cultural arts forms and share ideas with our African partners. We are really excited about the possibilities of a cultural exchange programme next year.'

Shining Lights will perform The Roses' of Eyam by Don Taylor at the New Greenham Arts Centre on the 14th and 15th July. For tickets please contact the Corn Exchange box office.