By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
BRYCE Nicholls’ height has proved more than a little helpful over the journey.
The 6’6″ teenager, an aspiring actor from Berwick, was asked to again take part in the Victorian Youth Theatre’s upcoming production of The Conference of the Birds, despite now being older than the group’s age limit.
The former member of the group will reprise his role in the production to be performed next month at Chapel Off Chapel, due to what he refers to as a slight technicality.
“I’ve performed for the group in this play before, and the problem is that the suit they made only fits me,” Bryce, 18, laughed.
“So I was asked to be a part of it again,” he said.
The production will feature a cast of 20 as they tell the story of a group of birds who seek their King, the mythical Simorgh – a benevolent bird of Persian myth.
Bryce said it was handy to have performed the piece previously, allowing him to hone in on the play’s nuances.
“It’s always good to have the extra knowledge, you experiment a bit more, knowing the positives of the live performance,” he said.
“In the past, there was a bit of confusion to my character in terms of delivery, and this time I’ve been more aimed at practising and getting the vocalisation correct.”
Bryce’s involvement with Victorian Youth Theatre, which runs acting courses for children aged 8 to 18, began in his early high school years, and solidified his dreams of becoming a professional actor.
“I joined the group during my second year of high school, in Year 8. There was an article in the newspaper offering drama groups to people and I thought I’d give it a shot, and I fell in love with it,” he said.
“I went up through the classes and reached the top class and stayed there for a year and half, then finished by performing in The Conference of the Birds.”
And now on the cusp of another run of performances, Bryce hopes many more plays will follow.
“At the moment, I’m taking it in small steps, I’m joining up with the local theatre group to continue with drama every week, and I’m hoping to pick up some dance lessons,” he said.
“I would say it’s the method of storytelling that draws me to acting, the way you embody characters from a story and bring their characteristics alive, it’s a great allure to me.”
Victorian Youth Theatre will present The Conference of the Birds at Chapel off Chapel – 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran – from Wednesday 1 to Saturday 4 October.
To book tickets, visit www.melbournefringe.com.au.
