Young Ripon actor lands first major role alongside huge stars in Alan Bennett’s new wartime drama The Choral

Oliver Briscombe, 20, plays Lofty in the wartime drama, which stars Ralph Fiennes, Roger Allam, Mark Addy and Alun Armstrong.

Written by Alan Bennett and directed by Nicholas Hytner, the film tells the story of a Yorkshire community choir during the First World War as they face loss, change and find comfort in the power of music to bring people together.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and is released in cinemas across the country from November 7.

For Ollie, it marks an important step from student work into professional filmmaking.

Born in Harrogate, Ollie grew up in Ripon and went to Boroughbridge High School before studying for a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at York College

He now lives in Leeds while completing his degree in Acting for Screen at MetFilm School.

Ollie first heard about The Choral through an open casting call shared on the MetFilm School’s pages.

At first, he didn’t plan to apply.

He said: “I honestly thought I wouldn’t stand a chance.

"It was my sister Emily who persuaded me to go for it and she told me I had nothing to lose.”

The first stage was to record a short video introducing himself, followed by a self-tape playing Lofty, his character.

After that came two trips to London for auditions and chemistry readings.

He added: “It was my first experience of anything like that and I wasn’t really sure what was going on.

“Then I was at the orthodontist, getting my braces tightened, when I got the call to say I’d got the part.

"I just felt this huge mix of emotions - disbelief, excitement, everything at once.”

It’s the first proper acting role for Ollie, whose only previous screen experience was as a background extra in an Amazon film when he was fifteen.

Ollie said: “I think what they saw in me was probably the same thing I was feeling - like a deer in the headlights.

“That’s what Lofty’s like too.

"I think Alan Bennett has a reputation for spotting new talent and giving fresh faces a chance.”

Being on set was a steep learning curve.

Ollie added: “I had imposter syndrome at first.

“But every day I was learning - not just from the actors but from the crew as well.

"Ralph Fiennes is such a professional and a lovely man – he brought this incredible energy to the set.”

There was also some advice from fellow cast member, Mark Addy, that Ollie says he’ll never forget.

“I offered to make him a cup of tea, and he pulled out his own box of Yorkshire Gold.

"He said, ‘Always bring your own tea bags - never rely on the set having your brand’ and he’s right – tea is the fuel of actors.”

Ollie’s love of film began at home, watching movies with his dad.

It was Simon Pegg’s performance as Gary King in The World’s End that made him want to act.

“That was the moment I thought, yes, that’s what I want to do,” he said.

He credits MetFilm School with preparing him for the professional set.

“Everything I’d learnt suddenly made sense - how to stand, how to break down a script, how to build a character’s inner life.

"MetFilm School gave me the confidence to just get on with it.

"They were really supportive too, giving me some flexibility with deadlines when I needed time off for filming.”

Ollie says his whole family has backed him from the start: “My mum’s been amazing, driving me all over the place.

“They came to see the film at the BFI Film Festival and they loved it.

"It’s such a beautiful, moving and funny film - there wasn’t a dry eye.”

For MetFilm School, his success is another example of how the Leeds campus is connecting students directly with the screen industries in the North of England.

Recent graduates and students have worked on major television dramas and feature films shooting across Yorkshire and beyond.

Lucy Francis, Course Leader for BA Acting for Screen at MetFilm School, said: “We are so proud of Ollie and what he has achieved with this film.

"To take on a role of this size so early in his career and all whilst still studying with us has been a massive undertaking.

"We're so excited to see the film and can't wait to see what's in store for Ollie next.”

With The Choral now in cinemas, audiences will soon be able to see Ollie on the big screen, marking the start of what looks to be a promising career in film and television.

He’s already landed a part in another feature film - details tightly under wraps for now, and is completing the final year of his degree at MetFilm School Leeds.