Mordred is a drama, newly written and researched by members of the South Devon Players Theatre and Film Company, a team specialising in historical and mythological drama, based in Brixham.
James co-stars as King Arthur’s battle-general Gawaine. He juggles his day job at Marks & Spencer in Dartmouth with a busy schedule of rehearsals, combat and stunt training, and is also Laura’s assistant director.
He said the project was hugely exciting and his most ambitious to date.
Set in the 6th century across the two Westcountry counties, the two-and-a-half-hour drama stars all local unknown talent who bring to life Arthurian legend in a production researched and adapted from some of the earliest tales of Mordred.
His name appears varyingly in Arthurian legends as Arthur’s nephew or illegitimate son and the production focuses on how two equally honourable men came to hate one another, and how that hate lead to a disastrous war.
Set against the backdrop of the post-Roman Celtic kingdom of Dumnonia, struggling to survive against the Saxon invaders, this is a dark, gritty drama.
It is supported with an impressive team of performers, historical re-enactors, historians and a film crew, including students from Exeter College.
Writing, research and direction comes from Arthurian-afficiando, actress and masters graduate Laura Jay, who grew up in Dartmouth, and the ambitious Simon Knight, of MediaHound Films, who is her director of photography.
Further support comes from sound track composer Michael Klubertanz, from Germany, the only team member from outside the south west of England, who is composing the film soundtrack using only instruments which would have been in use in 6th century Britain.
The film stars two local up-and-coming actors from the south west in the lead roles. Rich Sandford, from Torquay, takes his first ever starring role as Mordred, and Guillaume Rivaud, from North Cornwall, is King Arthur.
Alongside the team of local thespians and creatives appears Mike Mitchell, an international actor who has appeared in films such as Gladiator, Skyfall and Braveheart.
Mike began his acting career from bodybuilding, in which he has been five times Mr World, and twice Mr Universe. Now living in Plymouth, Mike is assisting the production team behind the scenes with publicity and networking.
Filming will take place in May and June around Devon and Cornwall, with the theatre performances taking place in September, including one at the Flavel Arts Centre, currently scheduled for Friday September 16.
Laura said: ‘It was considered very important to make sure that we were not making just another King Arthur film and to find a unique adaptation.
‘While novels have been written from Mordred’s point of view, to our knowledge, this has never been transferred to film. That, coupled with spanning Devon and Cornwall, and delving into earlier and less known legends, has created an all new version of the legend.
‘Not that creating a production of this scale is easy. While grants are being applied for, along with traditional crowdfunding sources, you cannot put all your eggs into one basket.
‘Cast and crew members are involved in a wide range of fundraising activities, ranging from small amounts from tombolas and face painting at fetes, and selling on eBay, through to a film/sci-fi/fantasy convention, grant applications, cabaret shows, ebook publications and more.
‘For costumes and props, it is also a case of keeping one eye on the history book and the other on what reclaimed fabrics and items can be remade and adapted. We have to thank so many people who keep an eye out for secondhand things.
‘This is an ambitious project taking not just every ounce of creativity on screen, but also in the planning and logistics behind-the-scenes.’
Laura said the players had three speaking roles yet to be cast, two male and one female.
Anyone wishing to get involved can email [email protected]