Game of Thrones bad guy‘s good turn in donating script

Drama student Joseph Webb is performing an extract from The Class for his GCSE exam, and needed a complete copy.

Library manager Anna Quick searched everywhere before contacting Mr Barnes directly, who sent it straight away asking in return only a donation to a foodbank.

‘I found it in a book of monologues my teacher gave me, and was told to find the script,’ Joseph said.

‘Our performances are scheduled for the end of March, we’re all doing different things. I saw the piece and it was one that I liked. It’s a speech from the character Wayne, who is comparing the people in his class to animals. I’ve watched Game of Thrones a couple of times. It’s nice to know that such a big celebrity has contacted us. I quite enjoyed this play so I might have a look at his other ones.’

Ms Quick said it was impossible to find a copy, given that it was unpublished in its entirety.

‘As a last resort I emailed the author, Luke Barnes, a playwright who is also an actor – he played the Night’s Watch ranger Rast in Game of Thrones. When I looked up his role in Game of Thrones, I saw that he played the bad guy, but after this he is quite clearly a good guy.’

Within 30 minutes Mr Barnes had replied and sent the script.

‘We were prepared to pay for it, of course, knowing how terrible things are for performers right now, but he asked only that we donate some money to a food bank. The school’s drama department will be sending a donation to Guernsey Welfare Service. GWS have been informed, I sent them a brief to say we are giving them a donation.’

On Mr Barnes’ website, his listed current projects only says ‘nothing – plague’.

Ms Quick was so impressed that she wanted to share what happened.

‘What a heartwarming story,’ said GWS co-ordinator Sue Le Friec.

‘We are always grateful for any donations and are delighted that the author thought to support a foodbank and the Grammar School approached us.’

For more information visit: lukeedwardbarnes.com/.