Bending it like.... Jonny

So to learn how he took a kicking masterclass with Swindon rugby players.

Stuart Quinn has a leading role in the Old Town Theatre Company's latest production, Breakfast With Jonny Wilkinson.

In the play Stuart plays teenager Jake.

His character starts to play rugby and in a series of weird coincidences only scores points when Jonny Wilkinson does.

Over time he becomes convinced that if he stops scoring points, so will England and Newcastle.

Before the training session Stuart had watched videos of the England player, and was mimicking his pre-kick routine.

But to play the part really convincingly Stuart went down for a kicking training session with Swindon Rugby Club.

"I used to play rugby when I was 13 or 14," said Stuart.

"So I knew a little about how to really kick the ball.

"But now I know that if I hadn't gone down to learn the ropes at the club, I would be a bit lost.

"And it is really important that I make people think I know what I'm doing, so that the audience really believe the character.

"One problem I had was that Jonny is left footed and I am right footed. I think thanks to the training session I've overcome that."

"And I think that being out in the freezing cold, kicking, running and learning what he does will really help me pull off a convincing impression."

During his session he was taught the basics of kicking and exactly why Jonny Wilkinson has a pre-kick routine.

Tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday he'll be showing off what he's learned in rehearsals at Swindon Arts Centre.

Ashley Heath, of the Old Town Theatre Company, said: "Stuart is a very good learner, he listens and does what he's told.

"And I'm sure that a great deal of what he learned with the rugby club will filter through into his performance."

The show is on at the Swindon Arts Centre on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The curtain goes up at 7.30pm and tickets are £7.50 for adults and £5 concessions.