James will play Friar Lawrence

Woy Woy actor James Charles will play the role of Friar Lawrence in the Sydney Shakespeare Company's production of Romeo and Juliet later this month.

The production will be housed in the intimate setting of the Pact Theatre in Erskinville, with the season running from September 28 to October 9.

James studied as an actor and teacher in England, where his first acting experience was as Mercutio in a youth theatre production of Romeo and Juliet.

He later toured France in Hamlet as the Player King and Fortinbras, and repertory seasons took him to theatres across the UK.

Some of his favourite roles have been Jimmy Porter in Look Back in Anger, Milo in Sleuth, Max in Rebecca and the narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

His television appearances include roles on 'Allo 'Allo! and Ripping Yarns.

James first came to Australia in 1985 with a West End production of Run for Your Wife.

Over the last few years, he has appeared in several short films, and worked with living history troupe Convict Footprints, playing several roles in Convict Footprints: Rebellion! and Major Thomas Mitchell in Convict Footprints on the Old Great North Road.

Email, 5 Sep 2016

Stephen Hopley, Sydney Shakespeare Company