Stage school success

Aspiring young actor Stefan Capper-Davies

Stefan to join youth theatre

AN aspiring young actor from Delph will be following in famous footsteps when he joins the National Youth Theatre this summer.

Stefan Capper-Davies has won a place at the prestigious theatrical school aged just 14, the youngest age at which he could qualify.

He impressed judges at his audition by performing Romeo’s speech to Juliet in the tomb, from Shakespeare’s play.

And he is following famous actors such as Kenneth Branagh, Orlando Bloom, Daniel Craig, Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Catherine Tate and Dame Helen Mirren, who all began their careers at the National Youth Theatre.

Stefan, a Saddleworth School pupil, is a former member of Oldham Theatre Workshop and now trains at the Delph Little Theatre, where he has appeared in “The Beeple”, and “Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations”.

His National Youth Theatre audition saw him competing against 4,000 others, aged 14 to 25, from across the country.

He has secured a place at the two-week summer school at the Laban Centre in London in August.

Stefan said: “After the audition they give you feedback and said I looked more like a TV actor than a theatre actor, and if I didn’t get through this time I could go back and try again.

“So when I got the letter I was gobsmacked. I really, really want to be a professional actor and I’ve always been interested in the arts.

“I was extremely nervous at my audition, and the standard of acting was really high.”

Once he has completed the summer school, Stefan will be able to audition for National Youth Theatre productions.

But the summer course will cost £1,000 so Stefan has also set his fund-raising sights high — with a sponsored walk up Snowdon this weekend with six family members.

He will split the proceeds between his acting course and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

Anyone who wants to sponsor him can contact him at stefancap@rocketmail.com