Actor emotional on school return after 50 years

Thornber said the show's first Curve performance ended with a standing ovation

An actor has said he felt emotional on returning to the school in Leicester he attended almost 50 years ago.

Kraig Thornber is currently starring in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at the city's Curve Theatre but took time out on Friday to visit The Winstanley School in Braunstone.

Thornber, who plays Prof Digory Kirke in the Curve adaptation of the classic C.S. Lewis novel, met current pupils and took part in a question-and-answer session about his career.

"It's the first time I've been through the doors since I left," the 64-year-old said.

Thornber said he enjoyed meeting Julia, Andrea and Ritik from the latest generation of Winstanley pupils

"It's been quite extraordinary, quite emotional for me in a way, to come back.

"I've had the joy of meeting a couple of groups of students.

"They have been great, asking me some quite probing questions about my life as an actor, and also about the production that we're doing at Curve at the moment.

"Just walking through the [school] gates was kind of crazy after 50 years - and also seeing that the building has barely changed."

Thornber has had roles in the West End and films, including Inception and Muppets Most Wanted.

The show runs until 8 February at the Curve

The first Curve performance of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was on Thursday.

"It was a standing ovation," Thornber said.

"And people are just loving it, so I'm really excited to come back to my hometown and bring this beautiful, beautiful show to share with people."

Additional reporting by Dan Martin