A year 10 student at Ron Dearing UTC is starring in a festive show at Hull Truck Theatre as he prepares for further acting roles.
James Caley, 14, is playing the part of Peter Cratchit and taking on other ensemble roles in A Christmas Carol, an adaptation of Charles’ Dickens’ classic Christmas ghost story.
He began acting at the age of 10, attending Stagecoach Performing Arts in Beverley for three years before joining the Hull Truck’s Youth Theatre group a year ago.
James has previously played the part of Mr Wormwood in the stage show of Roald Dahl’s Matilda at St Mary’s College in Hull and is now preparing for roles in The SpongeBob Musical at the Northern Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) in Hull and Something Rotten at a venue to be confirmed next year.
James, who achieved a Distinction in grade six acting and a Merit in grade four singing, said: “I’m really enjoying it and I love the atmosphere and performing.
“I’d like to move into the television and movie side of acting but I’d also like a career in engineering, so I’m concentrating on my studies too.
“Ron Dearing UTC staff have been really supportive and they’re happy I’m doing this. Now I’ve done some professional work at Hull Truck Theatre I’m going to have some headshot pictures taken and see where it takes me.”
James recently took a brief break from treading the boards in A Christmas Carol to watch the show with more than 360 Year 10 and 11 students from Ron Dearing UTC.
They attended as part of their GCSE English Literature course, which helped them to understand the text and see the characters come to life.
James said: “It was great to watch it with my school friends. It also enabled me to see how the performance has progressed and see how good it looks from an audience perspective.”
Presented by Hull Truck Theatre in association with Leeds Playhouse, the show runs until December 31 and has delighted audiences since it opened on November 25.
Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “We’re really proud of James for pursuing his love of acting alongside his studies.
“We encourage our students to participate in various activities and experiences outside the classroom and broaden their horizons as much as possible. We wish James every success with his forthcoming roles.”
For more information and to book tickets for A Christmas Carol visit https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/whats-on/christmas/a-christmas-carol/