John Powell

Eldest of three siblings, all of whom appeared in Mel Gibson's 'Hamlet', John attended Surbiton County Grammar School, and King Edward's School, Witley, followed by a semester at Verdun American High School. After his family moved to Folkestone, Kent he played a backstage role in a production of 'Free As Air' at the Folkestone and Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society's Little Theatre in Sandgate. His acting career only commenced when a call went out for hundreds of extras to appear in the 1986 production of 'Lady Jane' and he was selected twice to take part, after having applied and interviewed twice. An appearance in the 1990 mini-series Centrepoint was followed by his big-screen swansong in 'Hamlet', appearing as a dignitary behind the opening credits and in the scene when Hamlet returns to Elsinore with the strolling players. Several speaking parts in shorts made by local amateur filmmakers Andy Coughlan, Clayton Thompson and Ben Shockley over the last 15 years have provided an outlet for his limited abilities.