All the world's a stage for a group of Pembrokeshire pupils.
The lucky pupils from Johnston Primary School have been called up to act as extras in a TV version of Shakespeare's Richard II now being filmed in the County.
Four of the school's pupils, Thomas Pratt, Katie Waite, Hannah Patterson and Lee Walkden, took part in a carnival scene at Pembroke Castle last week.
Another group of pupils were lucky enough to visit the set and go ‘behind the scenes' on Wednesday to meet some of the cast.
The school was contacted by the film company as it has an after-hours Film Club.
One of only three in the County, the film club is sponsored by a Pembrokeshire County Council, Community Focused Schools grant and also supported by Johnston Community Council.
"To say the children were excited is a bit of an understatement," said Alastair Birch, Out of School Hours Learning Co-ordinator.
"It's been a rare and wonderful opportunity for pupils who are already interested in film to take part in a real live shoot on their doorsteps."
Meeting every Friday, the children discuss and review films and also learn about the process of film making.
Headteacher Jackie Davies said: "It has been a tremendous privilege for pupils from Johnston C.P. School to have this rare opportunity of filming with the prestigious cast of ‘Richard the Second'.
"The pupils cast as extras and those from the Film Club who have visited the set have been thrilled with the make-up, costume and special effects used.
"They have been able to witness first hand the audition process right through to filming. It will be something they will always remember. We are very proud of them."
Alastair Birch accompanied the ‘extras' to Pembroke Castle last week along with Jackie Davies.
"The children were treated like absolute stars," he said. "They had their own trailer, make-up artists, and were treated really well.
"We would like to thank Shakespeare Productions and the film company for their amazing experience they had.
"The children were superb, they were really professional."
Richard II is one of four of Shakespeare's history cycle, which will be shown on BBC 2 next year as part of a season based on the Bard's life and works.
Co-produced by Neal Street productions with NBC Universal International, the films include some of the most pre-eminent Shakespearian actors and directors of the day and are being shot on location around the UK and Europe.
As well as Richard II, which is being filmed entirely on location in Wales, they will also include Henry IV Parts I and II and Henry V.
Richard II stars Ben Whishaw as Richard II and Rory Kinnear as his challenger Bolingbroke. Patrick Stewart is John of Gaunt with David Suchet as the Duke of York. Other famous actors include David Morrisey, James Purefoy and Lindsay Duncan.
Richard II is the latest film to find a scenic backdrop in Pembrokeshire and follows Hollywood blockbusters Robin Hood and Harry Potter both of which saw action on Freshwater West beach.
Captions
Pictured are Thomas Pratt, Katie Waite, Hannah Patterson and Lee Walkden- extras in a new TV version of Shakespeare's Richard II
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