James Loye reunited with Colston’s drama team who inspired him to act

James Loye, currently starring as Frodo Baggins in the West End epic ‘Lord of the Rings’, was today reunited with the drama team at Colston’s School in Bristol who helped inspire him to become an actor.

It was his first time on the stage of the school’s Harry Crook Theatre since completing his A levels in 1997.

Stephen Pritchard and Alison Chisnall, Head and Deputy Head of Drama, welcomed James back, together with his fiancée Alexandra Bonnet who plays a flying elf in the production at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

He had little time to explore old haunts before being whisked into a working session in the theatre with 14 Upper Sixth drama students who were busily preparing scripted performances for their A levels this summer.

Two of the group, Head Boy Tom England and Will Pritchard, are planning to follow in James’s footsteps by studying for drama degrees.

His choice a decade ago was the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

“I had no idea at that stage where my acting career would take me,” he said. “I approached it with a very open mind.

“Of course I had certain ambitions, but I could never have imagined landing a leading role in such a huge musical production.

“I was lucky enough to get the part for the world premier in Toronto nearly two years ago, followed by the British and European premier at Drury Lane last summer.”

James, whose home was in Rangeworthy, near Chipping Sodbury, joined Colston’s Lower School at the age of seven and followed his elder brother Ed through the school.

“I think I was as keen on rugby as drama,” he recalls. “I was a scrum half and played for Bristol Schools. The great thing was to be encouraged to do both.

“As I recall I had been really drawn into drama by about Year 9, and I suppose the rest is more or less history.”

During his visit James broke away from the school theatre long enough to meet Headmaster Peter Fraser and renew acquaintances in the staff common room with some of his former teachers.

Then it was back to the theatre, and another session with the Upper Sixth drama students before setting off for London and resuming life as head hobbit for the 7pm performance at Drury Lane.

	James with his fiancée Alexandra