AN ACTOR from Kingsley is celebrating rave reviews in his first lead role following its nationwide DVD release.
Former Helsby High School student James Powell has already shared the stage with Hollywood heavyweight Christian Slater and Dr Who’s Matt Smith, and is fast becoming an indie-horror-icon following the release of his first feature film, Resurrecting The Street Walker.
“It’s been shown all over the world – Istanbul, Tokyo – and the reception has been really good, as has the feedback I have had personally,” said the 29-year-old ex-Kingsley St John’s pupil.
“I think it’s something that film fans would very much enjoy.
“It was all shot in London, it’s a documentary-style film about a guy who is trying to break into the British film industry as a director.
“I could draw on my own experiences and the difficulties I have found.
“It’s all about film making and it’s about everything that goes hand in hand with that.”
James realised his passion for performing with Kingsley Drama Group, but it was only after completing a law degree he realised it was his calling.
“My grandmother got my into it,” added James.
“There was a drama group in Kingsley and I started doing things with then I was younger, it was something I always enjoyed.
“Then I finished university and I thought, ‘hang on, I would love to do this professionally’.
“I went down to London to The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, which is a really good drama school, graduated and got roles in Casualty and on the West End with Matt Smith and Christian Slater.
“It was really good fun, and then this film came along.
“In London it’s so competitive but when a part like that comes across you grab it.”
James, who has lived on Main Street, Frodsham, and has family in Kingswood, near Kingsley, regularly returns to his home town.
“I get back as often as I can because the atmosphere is so much nicer,” he said.
“London is a tough old place, I come back up north and everyone’s so much friendlier.”
