Search for local actor to play Dales warden (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Search for local actor to play Dales warden

11:24am Friday 15th July 2011 in Austwick By Kate Proctor, Reporter

THE widow of a national park warden is appealing for a local actor play him in a new film shot in the Dales.

Directors of the heart-warming British film 'Lad' are looking for someone to play the late Al Boughen who worked for the Yorkshire Dales National Park for 15 years.

His widow Pat, formerly of Austwick, said: “It’s a wonderful tribute to Al’s memory that someone will play him in a film and it would be even better if the actor was local.

"He was well known to everyone and so dedicated to his job.

"Someone droll who has the knack of being able to talk to all sorts of people is the kind of person I’d like to see play him.”

Director Dan Hartley - an ex-Settle College student - was inspired to make a film about a teenage boy’s friendship with a national park warden after meeting Mr Boughen as a youngster.

Open auditions will be held in Kendal and Lancaster on July 22 and 23.

Auditionees between 50 and 70 years old without any acting experience are welcome to apply as Mr Hartley believes it creates a more authentic feel.

Earlier this year, Mr Hartley cast Settle Middle School pupil Bretton Lord, 13, to play the lead role of Tom Proctor and Grange-over-Sands teenager Molly McGlynn for the part of Mr Boughen’s granddaughter Lucy.

“For Al we’re seeking a good natured, hard working national park warden who takes under his wing a thirteen year old lad when his dad dies.

"We want someone physically fit who loves the outdoors and an intolerance for bureaucracy!” Mr Hartley said.

The first ten minutes of the film shot in the Yorkshire Dales is now complete and will soon be touring the region.

“We don't mind if someone has absolutely no acting experience at all because ultimately it's their personality which is key, “ said Mr Hartley.

Mr Boughen was the son of Kirkby Lonsdale game-keeper Cedric Boughen and worked as a warden between 1975 and 1990.

Before retiring he spent time with local school children, teaching them about the countryside, which is how he met a then teenage Mr Hartley.

He died in April last year age 78 and is survived by his wife Pat who now lives in York.

Mrs Boughen said: “We had a wonderful rapport with young people.

"I knew he worked with local school children but I didn’t realise just how much he had caught some people's imagination.

"It really am so thrilled the film is happening.”

To register an interest or find out more details please email dan@roguerunner.com or phone 020 8 981 6115.