A FORMER Taunton schoolboy-turned RSC actor returns to his roots on Wednesday with a blood-curdling performance at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre.

Simon Carroll-Jones got his first taste for theatre as a student at Heathfield Community School. His was the first year to tread the boards of the newly-opened Arts Centre.

Simon tells the County Gazette: “I performed as the lead Billy Casper in Kes.

“It’s an amazing building. Having such a professional stage right next door to our school, I just got the bug for it.”

Now 30, Carroll-Jones joins troupe Angel Exit Theatre to bring The Ballad of Martha Brown to Monkton Heathfield.

Martha Brown’s true, mid-19th century tale, seethes with passion and jealousy, as the dairy maid struggling in rural Dorset meets her second husband, John Brown, and their fiery relationship descends into domestic violence, infidelity and murder.

“I play the abusive husband, John Brown,” Simon continues. “I end up being murdered with an axe at the back of the head.

“At first he’s a young guy who turns up on the farm where Martha’s working, and he’s charming; full of dreams and hopes for life, and for bettering themselves.”

Last year Simon joined the Royal Shakespeare Company for an expressive physical theatre performance as a “shadow” in Wendy and Peter Pan.

Simon says: “Joining the RSC is one of those things you hope to achieve after drama school; but it’s really exciting for me to be returning to Heathfield.”

Tickets cost £12 (£10 concessions, £7 students). Call 01823-414141 or visit tacchi-morris.com to book. The performance starts at 7.30pm.