Viva Lewes April 2015 Issue #103

Photo by Emma Chaplin
my lewes
Owen Daughtery
Are you local? Yes. I was born in Guildford, but
my parents, four older sisters and I moved to Lewes
when I was five, and I’ve been living in Southover
Rectory ever since.
Tells us about your role in this year’s Passion
Play. I was approached by the director Serena
Smith a few months ago to audition to play Judas.
I’ve never played a ‘baddie’ before, but we’re trying
to show Judas’ more human side. The Passion
Play takes place over four days, all outside, around
Lewes, including in Harveys Yard. There are some
70 cast members, including children, and the performances
will include songs.
How did you get into acting? I was homeschooled,
so I joined lots of clubs to meet other
people my own age, and one was Lewes Little
Theatre Youth Group. It was a really good springboard.
One I really enjoyed was playing Jack in
My Boy Jack.
How have you found studying at Sussex
Downs? It’s been great meeting new friends, and
I loved seeing the chemistry lab, using Bunsen
burners, and clotting pots of blood. Mum had
done the theory with us, but not so much practical.
I’m studying what I want to learn; computing,
maths, software development. I’m hoping to go to
Sussex University to study computer science.
Are there many young people with faith in
Lewes? Southover has the biggest community,
youthwise. It’s exciting to be part of it. We go on
trips, do lots of workshops.
What do you like about Lewes? It’s interesting,
quirky. I feel safe. I couldn’t imagine growing
up anywhere else. I like the fact there is no Mc-
Donalds and few chain shops. It’s a short trip to
Brighton if you want that.
Are you active on social media? Yes, I live on the
internet. I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Vine etc and
I’ve got my own YouTube channel where I post
short films, NewGreenShoe.
What did you have for breakfast? Nothing! I
trade breakfast for sleep, even though I know I
shouldn’t.
What’s your favourite place? The Grange. I’ve
got fond memories of it, meeting friends there.
How would you spend the perfect Sunday?
There are two church services I’d go to, at 10am
and 6.30pm. But I’d also Skype to catch up with
friends, go to Youth Group and have a Sunday
roast chicken cooked by my mum, with roast potatoes,
broccoli, cabbage and good gravy.
Recommend a good book. The Night Circus by
Erin Morgenstern. It’s by far the best book I’ve
ever read.
And a film? Now You See Me, a film about magicians
performing a bank heist. I love doing magic
tricks. I’ve got an hour-long repertoire, and I develop
and sell new ideas for tricks on theory11. I
always carry a pack of cards with me.
Interview by Emma Chaplin
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