A PROMISING actor is dreaming of swapping Holywell for Hollywood after a chance encounter with a movie star.
Thomas Casson, 26, will be treading the boards at theatres across North Wales and north-west England in a production of the Shakespeare’s Othello.
Thomas was finding it difficult to make his mark in the notoriously competitive world of acting until he bumped into Holywell-born Jonathan Pryce at the opening of Carmel Primary School’s new hall.
Former University of Chester student Thomas seized the opportunity to approach Jonathan – star of the stage and big-budget films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Evita and Tomorrow Never Dies – and received some valuable advice and guidance.
He believes he has grown in confidence since meeting the star.
“I was nervous at first but he was very easy to talk to and helped me to stay focused on what I needed to do to succeed”, said Thomas, a former pupil at St Richard Gwyn Roman Catholic High School, Flint.
“We quickly got onto the subject of plays we both liked and his advice, which was to work hard, try new things but stay true to the kind of actor that I wanted to be, has stayed with me and has proved useful on a number of occasions.”
Thomas believes meeting Jonathan has helped his confidence as an actor grow.
“Before I met Jonathan I was at something of a low ebb, and was struggling to see where my big break could come from,” he said. “I now am far more confident in my own ability and am happy to play to my strengths.
“He helped me to remain committed and be patient. I owe him a lot because he gave me the strength to keep working hard at my craft and plugging away. He even joked I shouldn’t take any roles away from him.”
Since the meeting Thomas’ career has gone from strength to strength.
He has landed several parts for the coming year and has also launched his own website, www.thomascasson.com, and a page on Facebook.
Thomas will be playing both the Duke of Venice and Roderigo in Black Box Theatre Company’s production of Othello.
The tour kicks off at Theatr Colwyn in Colwyn Bay on Wednesday and at Chester’s Forum Theatre on March 18 and 19.
For more information visit www.blackboxmerseyside.co.uk