TWIN Hollywood stars who appear in the new Superman movie have paid tribute to the Princes Theatre.
Jonah and Christian Lees, who were born in Colchester and raised in Clacton, play Dean and Desmond Farr in the latest DC Universe blockbuster.
Directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet as Superman and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, the film features the brothers as members of Lex Luthor’s squad.
Their journey to the big screen began on stage in Clacton at the Princes Youth Theatre, which they joined at just six years old.
Jonah Lees said: "The Princes Youth Theatre was an absolute game-changer for me and Christian.
"Before we ever landed our first stage or on-screen roles, it was the place where we got to perform on a real, professional stage with a live audience.
"It wasn’t just some casual club run by whoever was around – it was real training with people who actually knew their theatre craft.
"It’s without a doubt a huge part of what enabled us to be able to book our first leading West End roles at the ages of eight and ten.
"It was a huge part of the careers we’re lucky enough to have today."
The brothers attended Holland Park Primary School before earning places at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London.
They bonded with Nicholas Hoult on the Superman set, discovering he was also a Sylvia Young alumnus.
Christian Lees said: "My time at the Princes Youth Theatre was without a doubt pivotal to my career.
"Being able to perform on stage at such a young age, to be trained by seasoned practitioners like Melissa Wenn, and most importantly the fun we had while training there, are all part of the reason I chose the career path I did."
Last year, Jonah returned to the youth theatre to lead a Q&A session with students, offering advice and encouragement to the next generation of performers.
The brothers come from a creative family – their mother Danni Boscarelli is a singer and composer, and their father Chris Lees is also a musician.
Gary Scott, councillor responsible for arts, culture and heritage at Tendring Council, said: "Jonah and Christian’s success is a shining example of what can be achieved when young people are given the chance to explore their talents in a supportive environment.
"We’re incredibly proud of them and grateful for the time they continue to give back to the Princes Youth Theatre.
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"The youth theatre remains committed to supporting young talent, raising their aspirations and providing unique opportunities to learn from professionals in the field."
The Princes Youth Theatre continues to offer classes, workshops and performance opportunities for young people.
For more information, visit princestheatre.co.uk/youth-theatre.
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