Ray Winstone in town to support our military heroes

Hollywood star Ray Winstone was in Aylesbury this morning to support a theatre project for wounded service men and women.
Launch of Bravo 22 Company at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre with Ray Winstone and Amanda RedmanLaunch of Bravo 22 Company at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre with Ray Winstone and Amanda Redman
Launch of Bravo 22 Company at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre with Ray Winstone and Amanda Redman

Bravo 22 Company is the first project of its kind the UK, and helps local veterans come to terms with what they have suffered, by enlisting them to help produce, write and act in a play.

The company, which previously sold out at Edinburgh Fringe is now coming to Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre, and today’s event was to encourage veterans from Buckinghamshire to take part.

Mr Winstone, who has appeared in blockbusters including Scum and Sexy Beast has supported the project from the outset, and brought along actress Amanda Redman to take part in the question and answer session.

Launch of Bravo 22 Company at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre with Ray Winstone and Amanda Redman PNL-150117-160643009Launch of Bravo 22 Company at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre with Ray Winstone and Amanda Redman PNL-150117-160643009
Launch of Bravo 22 Company at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre with Ray Winstone and Amanda Redman PNL-150117-160643009

During the session the group took questions from a number of people whose lives had been affected by the wars in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq.

One woman described how her life is constantly transient, moving from place to place with her RAF serviceman husband. And she emotionally told how he missed the birth of his first baby while deployed in Afghanistan.

Another audience member described how after serving the fources for 17 years, he was treated poorly by Job Centre staff and he said how worthless it made him feel.

Mr Winstone said: “I am 100% proud to be part of a company like this, and although I don’t get enough time to be involved as much as I would like these people are doing an amazing job.”

In response to the audience member who made to feel ‘worthless’ by the Job Centre he said: “Is it just this goverment or is it all governments? Maybe by doing something like this you can have a voice, and tell them about it. Otherwise, nothing will ever change.”