Old Bedfordian and award-winning actor Jonno Davies (01–10) returned to school on Monday 29 June to deliver the opening keynote speech for this year’s Creative Arts Festival, offering boys an honest, inspiring insight into life in the performing arts and the courage it takes to turn a passion into a career.
Known for his work in Better Man, A Clockwork Orange, Hunters, Kingsman and Mother’s Pride, to name just a few, Jonno’s visit was a powerful reminder of what can grow from the opportunities on offer at school, and the importance of embracing them fully.
A Star in the Making
Among those listening in the audience was former Bedford School Drama teacher Mrs Keane, who first recognised Jonno’s talent when he auditioned for Bugsy Malone as a Year 6 boy in the Prep School.
“It was blatantly clear that this diminutive but exceptionally charismatic young man in front of me was what is now called a triple threat,” she recalled. “He could act, he could sing and he could dance. And he had that rare gift we call stage presence.”
Jonno took on the lead role, impressing with a natural instinct well beyond his years. “Jonno knew his lines almost overnight and knew instinctively how to portray the character,” Mrs Keane said.
After his final performance, Jonno’s ambition was already clear. “As he walked off stage… Jonno turned to me and said, ‘Mrs Keane, I’m going to be an actor!’”
Alongside his performances, he was elected Head Boy in his final year in the Prep School, “a role that he undertook with sincerity, commitment and modesty.” Looking back, Mrs Keane added, “Jonno’s talent was always going to take him somewhere, but it is his integrity… that will always make him Oscar worthy.”
Making the Most of Every Opportunity
Speaking directly to the boys, Jonno encouraged them to make the very most of their time at Bedford School, “Embrace your time at school, there’s so much to do here. This place is special – you have so much opportunity at your fingertips – pursue those interests.”
From hockey and fencing to drama club, Jonno immersed himself in school life, something he still believes is key. “I am a strong believer in regretting what you don’t do, not what you do.”
He also reassured those unsure about their next steps, “It’s okay if you don’t yet know what you want to do in life… that’s normal.”
For Jonno, the decision to pursue acting was not immediate. Initially set on studying English, it was the intervention of his teacher, Mrs Swindenbank, that changed everything.
“I thought, ‘I can’t be an actor, I have to do a proper subject.’ But my Drama teacher said, ‘What are you doing? You don’t want to study English – you want to be an actor!’. I was given permission… to turn my passion into a profession, and that was a turning point for me.”
Behind the Scenes of Acting
Jonno’s talk offered a refreshingly honest look at the realities of the profession. While acting offers creativity and excitement – “Total escapism… you can be someone else” – it also demands resilience.
“Talent and passion might get you through the door… but they won’t keep you there. Resilience and patience is needed.” Rejection, he explained, “is part of everyday life for an actor. Nine times out of 10 it’s a ‘no’… but every rejection has to be fuel for the fire.”
To sustain his career early on, Jonno balanced acting with other work. “I was a children’s entertainer for 12 years… it paid the bills.” At the same time, he continued learning, reading, watching theatre and even returning to hockey, which he still plays today.
The Power of the Bedford School Network
Jonno shared the highs and lows of his career candidly, including his move to New York in search of greater opportunity. “I lived in a tiny room… I had audition after audition. I was about to… jack it all in, and then came one last audition for Hunters.”
That role led to working alongside Al Pacino and marked a significant breakthrough – yet, as Jonno emphasised, success is rarely straightforward. “The career of an actor is not linear – it fluctuates.”
Setbacks were frequent, and resilience was essential, not least when faced with the realities of the audition process. On one occasion, Jonno was given a brief requiring fluent German, something he did not have. “So I reached out on my social platforms to ask for help, and a guy called Max said he could help, and lo and behold he was also an Old Bedfordian.”
That connection proved invaluable, both practically and personally. “You’ll find that boys, as an Old Bedfordian, we all have each other’s backs.” It was a simple but powerful reminder of the lifelong strength of the Bedford network, even in the most unexpected moments.
After Hunters, Jonno returned to smaller roles and found himself once again questioning his path. Then came another unexpected turning point – an audition for Better Man. Initially unsuccessful, he later received a dramatic call back. “They wanted me for the role after all and my career went from zero to 100 in a flash. You have to always be match fit.”
The role proved to be the experience of a lifetime, including recreating Robbie Williams’ iconic performances. Reflecting on it, Jonno said simply, “Looking back, I can’t believe it. How on earth did it all happen?”
A Message That Resonated
Jonno’s message to boys was clear. Take opportunities, be determined and don’t be afraid to take risks.
“Determination. That’s what sets Bedford boys apart,” he said. “Make the most of this place; join clubs, try things, talk to teachers, fail at things – it’s okay.”
Above all, he emphasised the impact a single conversation can have. “A conversation with a teacher might change the course of your life – trust me, I know.”
It was a fitting and inspiring start to the Creative Arts Festival, leaving boys with a powerful reminder that passions pursued with commitment and resilience can lead to extraordinary paths.
