Jayde Adams 'in tears' over hometown theatre role

Actress and comedian Jayde Adams said returning to the theatre where she took her first steps as a young performer left her in tears.

The Bristolian is taking a lead role in the Bristol Old Vic's musical version of Treasure Island this Christmas - her first professional role as an actress.

"After the first night [of dress rehearsals] I got pretty emotional. It's just taken so long", Adams said.

"As a child I used to walk past this building all the time and wish that I could be on that stage, and it's amazing to finally get there."

Adams is best known as a comedian and Strictly Come Dancing contestant. Now, she is playing the character Ben Gunn in a musical performance of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, a fictional tale of double-crossing pirates in a pub in 18th Century Bristol.

"It's one of Bristol's most famous stories. It's about the city we're in.

"Legend has it it was written in the Llandoger Trow pub which is over the road [from Bristol Old Vic] and the basis of the Benbow Inn, which is where our show takes place," said Adams.

As well as performing, Adams said she has found herself acting as an unofficial dialect coach for co-star Adryne Caulder-James.

Despite being a graduate of the famous performing arts BRIT-School, mastering the Bristol accent was something the London-born actress sought help for.

"I've been on the bus, listening in, thinking what does that sound like, how can I pick that up?" said Caulder-James. "Jayde's been saying I'm doing quite well, which is a compliment."

As a teenager, Adams attended Bristol Old Vic's Young Company theatre school, but said she found it tough as a young performer and left the city in 2004.

"Things have changed since I was younger, but there were a lot of gates that I couldn't get through, so I went off, made a name for myself and came back five years ago. And now I'm the lead in a show at the Old Vic."

Adams goes further still, challenging what she sees as a misconception held by some that Bristolians are not very intelligent and don't take themselves seriously:

"There's so many people like me in this city and I've had the pleasure of meeting some of the city's most talented Bristolian performers.

"I'm really proud to be representing the Bristol Old Vic in the show."

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.