ONE man’s passion for acting and willingness to change has helped him land a professional role. Nick Kendrick was once more interested in sports than theatre, but as The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe runs at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre this week he will be on stage.

As a member of the supporting cast, the 28-yearold, of Diglis, Worcester, will fill various roles – a howling wolf in one scene, an imposing centaur in the next.

For a budding actor it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.

“I’m not the most naturally moving wolf, but every time I go on stage I get more confident, more imaginative,” said Kendrick.

It was while playing for a Birmingham-based rugby club that a fellow player encouraged Kendrick to see a local play.

There he met a professional actor and the desire to step onto the stage took hold. Part way through a leisure management course at Worcester College of Technology, Kendrick switched to a Performing Arts HND. But it did not end there.

“When I finished the course I decided that acting was just a fad, something I would forget.

I did some extras work, then became a personal trainer.

“But all the time this was nagging at me. For over a year I tried to ignore it, but I was getting down because I wasn’t performing.”

Kendrick, determined to act, secured roles with amateur companies and performed at the Malvern Theatre, Worcester Arts Workshop, Kidderminster Rose and The MAC Birmingham.

Then last year, the MDCC theatre company cast him as the lead in Henry V.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – running until Saturday, January 17 – may be this actor’s first professional show, but is certainly not his last. For tickets, call the Rep on 0121 2364455.