Nominated best actor in last year's Hereford Drama Festival for his portrayal of Lol in Cider with Rosie, James Houlbrooke, aged 13, recently secured his first Shakespearean role with new theatre company, Caramba.

Based in Stratford-upon-Avon, it will give James a further chance to spread his wings as he has already taken to the stage in Birmingham and London.

A keen actor, who also enjoys singing and dancing,

James is 'thrilled' to be offered the chance to play Fleance and Young Macduff in Macbeth, Caramba's first production.

Set up to perform both lesser known and classic Shakespeare work using local actors, Caramba's founder Tim Guest immediately thought of James when casting the young roles as he had worked with him before.

The production is taking place at Stratford's Shakespeare Institute between April 28 and May 3.