BILL Hemming is 17 years old and he is already a King.
But as it says in Bill’s script: Woman: “Well ‘ow’d you become king then?” (holy music up) Arthur: “The Lady of the Lake-- her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. THAT is why I am your king!
Man:(laughingly) “Listen: Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!
Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some...farcical aquatic ceremony!”
And so as you will have guest by now Bill is King in the sense is he playing the lead role of King Arthur in The Space’s version of Monty Python’s Spamalot.
The 17-year-old, who is studying for a Level 3 BTEC in Performing Art Extended Acting Diploma (he is coming to the end of his first year of a two year course), said when he found out he had landed the lead role it was ‘one of the best days of my life’.
He found his acting inspiration for the role of King Arthur by watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail and the performance of Graham Chapman in the role and also focussed on Tim Curry who played the role of King Arthur on stage in Spamalot.
Bill said: “I watch Tim Curry’s performance on YouTube.
"He was my main inspiration for the role as he showed the two different sides to King Arthur.
“The first was the big low voice when he wanted to be Kingly and the idiot side of Arthur when he was questioned all the time.”
Bill has been acting for most of his life having appeared in a number of amateur dramatic productions as well as appearing in shows put on by Space.
The SPACE provides a 21st Century performing arts complex for post-16 students to study all aspects of Performing Arts.
The Space’s version of Monty Python’s Spamalot will be on stage at the Tacchi- Morris Arts Centre from July 12-15.
Ticket prices: Opening night special: £10 / £8 Concs / £5 Students. Thurs - Sat (incl Thurs matinee) £12 / £10 Concs / £6
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