CityLiving's crystal ball predicts its stars of the future. This could be their year...
THEATRE: Ashley Taylor-Rhys
Despite only have graduated from the Birmingham School of Acting last June, 21-year-old Ashley has already landed a role in an acclaimed production at the National Theatre, London.
Ashley is Ned Warren, cousin of the lead character in War Horse, an epic WWI story about how a young boy's love for his horse leads him on a treacherous mission to be reunited with him, after the horse is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France.
Born and raised in Birmingham, Ashley achieved a 2.1 in his BA (Hons) Acting; whilst completing his degree at Birmingham City University, he was signed up by acting agency Braidford, Willoughby Hutton (BWH). Within a month, Ashley was in full time-employment as a professional actor. He says: "I was happy to get this part; acting is something I love and to be paid for it is a great bonus. I'm working alongside some of the most talented people in the theatre industry. It can be quite tiring on the days we have two performances, but I'm not complaining. I realise how lucky I am, but I do miss Birmingham!" Danièle Sanderson, Course Director at Birmingham School of Acting, says: "Ashley was a talented student and we are delighted that he has secured this role with such a prestigious company as the National Theatre. "That Ashley landed this role within a month of graduation is a testament to both his talent and his training. Whilst we often hear about students struggling to find work after graduation, courses at Birmingham City University are vocational, equipping students with the valuable practical skills they need to impress employers." War Horse is on at the Olivier Theatre until January 12. Tel: 0207 452 3000.
MUSIC: The Arcadian Kicks
It's not every band who can claim to have a rock star manager; Ronan Keating and Westlife doesn't count.
Teenage five-piece The Arcadian Kicks, can, however - Charlatans drummer Jon Brookes was so impressed with the youngsters from Kinver when he was judge at a battle of the bands competition, he made a point of seeing them at one of their own gigs a few weeks later. "I don't tend to do much judging but a friend of mine asked so I went along," Jon recalls. "You can kind of zone in and out at these things, but when they came on looking and sounding so good I said to myself 'I think I've found the next big thing.' "It was like Julie Driscoll with Fleetwood Mac and a bit of Led Zeppelin all together on one stage," he adds. "It was a combination of the charisma, the quality and confidence of playing and the songs were so melodic and powerful, played with such control and passion. "Bands like the Arctic Monkeys have proved bands can reach a massive audience on their own; my role is about giving them advice; over the years I've learned a little bit about the industry and it's about giving them some pointers." Formed in early 2006, the band are all former pupils at Edgecliff High School, Kinver; GCSE music classmates, they're all now at college studying for A-Levels and BTECs - but are all committed to making a go of The Arcadian Kicks. Lead singer Becky Wilson says: "We're all very determined; the plan is to pursue the band after our exams in the summer and take a gap year." Jon Brookes is in no doubt he has found something special. He predicts: "It's only a matter of time before they're all over the country." See The Arcadian Kicks ar Bash Bar, New Street, January 26.
COOKERY: Adam Daniels
He may lack the same knack for profanities, but student chef Adam Daniels is on the right path to becoming the next Gordon Ramsay.
The 24-year-old from Swansea fought off tough competition to win the 2007 Gordon Ramsay College Scholar Award competition, staged at last November's BBC Good Food Show; under the watchful eyes of the judges, the final year student at the Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies beat off the challenge of seven other trainee chefs to claim the title. Chair of the judges Stephen Doherty described Adam as "an outstanding young chef whose experience belies his age." Adam's prize included £2,000, a week's work experience at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant in London, set of knives and chef's jacket. He also won the chance to take nine fellow students and a lecturer to lunch at one of Ramsay's restaurants. Adam says: "It was really great, quite an achievement for such a high profile event; when I first started at the college we did the canapés for the competition (regional heats used to be held around the country) and I remember I thought 'one day I'd like to enter that' - so to enter and win it was a dream come true." Having one the College Scholar competition, Adam was entered as wildcard into the Scholar Award itself, open to professional chefs under the age of 25. While he did not win this year, he's keen to try and return in 2008. Director of Catering at the Birmingham College of Food (and CityLiving columnist) Bill Farnsworth commented: "Adam is a dedicated and talented young chef who performed exceptionally well under pressure. His links with Gordon Ramsay will undoubtedly give his career an enviable start and act as an inspiration for other young chefs." Graduating this summer, the young chef says he plans to follow Gordon Ramsay's advice and work abroad, probably in Paris: "If Gordon Ramsay says 'I think you should go abroad' you're not going to turn a blind eye to that," Adam smiles. "He knows what he's talking about." For more information on the scholarship awards, go to www.gordonramsay.com.
FILM: James Lees
If he was a little younger, filmmaker James Lees might become dubbed 'The Sundance Kid'. The 27-year-old from Kings Heath is off to the prestigious Sundance Film Festival later this month, where his short film The Apology Line receives a screening.
It's the latest accolade for the piece, produced by Lees and collaborator William Bridges, which was inspired by a freephone number the pair set up in 2006 - allowing members of the public to call up and get anything off their chest: "We got some absolutely incredible stuff," James recalls. "The whole range from [apologising for] infidelity to crimes to things they wish they had done to apologising to family members who had now passed away - to people apologising for the whole human race!" He adds: "It seems the British public were screaming out for an outlet for their guilt and they really opened up to it." Using the callers as the basis of the film, The Apology Line has already been a hit at the Corona Cork Film Festival, where it picked up the Prix UIP award for Best European Short Film; it has also been shown at Cannes, Channel 4's Britdoc in Oxford and London's Raindance festival. Having studied at film school and worked in film production in Soho, James went freelance and came to Birmingham three years ago. "I really wanted to set up on my own and I couldn't really do that in London - I wanted to go where I could get established a little bit more easily and I already had connections (a brother) in Birmingham," he explains. "I like Birmingham a lot and there seemed to be a lot of media companies and opportunities with Screen West Midlands - it seemed like a good time to come to Birmingham, and I'm glad I did. "Screen West Midlands have been fantastic, really instrumental in helping me develop myself and grow - which I wouldn't have been able to do if I hadn't come to Birmingham." As well as Sundance, James has the European Film Awards in December to look forward to (where he is nominated), while he and William are working on making The Apology Line available in multi-formats and a possible TV series. Oh, and if you're wondering, yes the phone line is still open to calls... James is all ears. Call The Apology Line on 0800 970 9394.
FASHION: Jacob Kimmie
Jacob is the first to admit that he cuts an unlikely figure in the fashion world. At 6ft 2in he says he is looks like he should be on the rugby pitch "not making pretty dresses".
The South African ex-pat first began dabbling in design while watching Madonna's wedding to Sean Penn and making sketches inspired by her "pumpkiny" dress. At 11 he fashioned a dress from a plastic meat packer's suit for a friend who was entering a beauty pageant . Jacob gained a name for himself in his homeland for his work as a stylist and had a cult following for outfits he made for an underground rave boutique from bubble wrap and shower curtains. The 34-year-old came to the UK six years ago prompted by the fact that "South Africa doesn't really have a high fashion scene so my work was based around private commissions, doing stuff like wedding dresses. That was as far as it went." He settled first in London then came to Birmingham because of his partner's job. "We find Birmingham more manageable. It is less expensive than London. It is a friendly city to live in and it feels like home." Though London is undeniably at the epicentre of UK fashion, it hasn't stopped the style-watchers beating a path to Jacob's door, or more accurately to his base in the Custard Factory. Last year a successful debut at On/Off, which is part of London Fashion Week, served as his calling card. "It was absolutely amazing. It is all about showing what you can do so it just acts as a huge big advert. It was because of that I started getting requests for clothes from magazines like UK and Italian Vogue and Elle. "And it is the same garment that everybody has been after. I have been approached by GQ who are having a shoot with Gwyneth Paltrow and they have requested it. "It is a transparent corset, a bustier top with lots of panelling that is basically see through - I don't know what Gwyneth is going to be doing with it." Apart from under-dressing A-listers, this year Jacob added a few more celebrities to his roster of clients. He made four one-off evening dresses for album of the year nominees All Angels to wear to the Classical Brit Awards. He has also dressed retro jazz singer Victoria Hart and his clothes were featured in the GHD campaign. His label is sold through exclusive London boutique Acquaint. His focus is on women's wear but admits menswear is a "silent passion". He is also much in demand for his skills as a wedding dress maker, with prices starting from £3,000 up. Jacob describes his style as "quirky chic, very playful" and is positioning it as a "quintessentially British luxury brand", which is why taking part in London Fashion Week is so important to him. "It has a reputation for being cutting edge, more experimental. Doing collections gives you confidence. You have to plot and plan, know exactly what to do next." Strangely confidence is the area that Jacob says he's a little lacking in. "I'm media shy and hate having my photo taken. When people meet me they say I look like I should be standing outside the door of a nightclub. I have been told that I should play that up but I think I would rather be waving from the wings." For more information look up www.jacobkimmie.com.
BUSINESS: Nicola Fleet-Milne
When she first set up her own property business in the summer of 2004, Nicola Fleet-Milne set herself the goal of achieving 100 lettings in the first 12 months.
Her newly created company, FleetMilne, managed over 230. Since then the award-winning entrepreneur has seen the business grow from strength to strength, now employing seven full-time staff and establishing itself as one of the leading lettings company in the region. Add to that two awards Nicola picked up in 2007 - the Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Entrepreneur Award, and the small business title in the IoD's Emerging Leader Awards. All of this before her 30th birthday, which she celebrates this month. Attention to detail and 'lack of laziness' are two key principles she applies to work - and play, judging from a 'free time' schedule that includes organising events for organisations such as the RICS - and sponsoring/captaining her own netball team. "It's my nature to want to be better than everyone else," says Nicola, in a competitive rather than arrogant way. "I didn't set up on my own to make loads of money, I did it to to be the best. I'm at that point in life that I can do that; I'm not married with kids or anything like that, so why not give it your all?" With the likes of iLand, Rotunda and Brindley House all arriving on the lettings market, 2008 promises to be another busy and successful one for FleetMilne and Fleet-Milne - who is keeping her cards close to her chest when it comes to future plans: "That'd be telling!" she laughs. "I definitely do have plans - this is not where I stop." www.fleetmilne.co.uk
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