Schoolboy is star of stage and screen (From Free Press Series)

Schoolboy is star of stage and screen

4:11pm Thursday 28th January 2010

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SCHOOLBOY actor Wesley Nelson is set for great things, currently picking up rave reviews in London’s West End while also starring in a top film.

Wesley, at just 13, plays a young Ian Dury in Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll, in cinemas nationwide starring alongside Ray Winstone and Andy Serkis. He is also treading the boards as Sacha in Tom Stoppard’s Every Good Boy Deserves Favour.

All this despite having suffered as a spastic paraplegic with cerebral palsy since he was born 12 weeks premature in 1996.

Wesley’s proud father Simon explained how the Monmouth School pupil first got into performing through his older siblings.

"His older sister took up ballet like most little girls, and it was easier for the three boys to go along too. They loved it straight away", he said.

"Their agent still works with Wesley now. Wesley’s attitude has always been to get on with stuff and concentrate on what he can do, not what he can’t."

Wesley soon made his debut aged 11 at the National Theatre. Last year, while appearing in Mrs Affleck, he was recommended to the casting directors working on Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll and they came to see him in London before filming last summer.

His father adds: "Wesley already knew about Ian because he’s my era and he’d been subjected to me playing his records when he was growing up.

"When he met Ray and Andy, they didn’t treat him any different than anyone else. They didn’t act like big stars at all."

In Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, running until mid-February at the Olivier Theatre, Wesley plays the son of a Soviet political prisoner. He has also appeared in TV dramas ‘Doctors’, ‘Casualty’ and ‘Where the Heart Is’.

A school spokeswoman said: "Wesley fits all this around his schoolwork at Monmouth School, thanks to his own effort and determination, and help from his friends and teachers."

His siblings are following their parents into pharmacy, medicine and accounting, and Wesley is keeping up as best he can with his studies.

Mr Wesley said: "The main thing is he’s always treated acting as a serious job.

"We’re so proud of what he’s achieved. I’m sure he’ll follow whatever path he wants to, and we’ll support him whatever he decides."

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