Laurence Friar is the 38-year old owner of the local internet cafe & alternative bookshop.

He’s a local boy although he spent his late 20s and early 30s travelling quite a lot, making a good living as a reasonably high class drug smuggler and dealer. In his younger days he ran with Montague Snr, Romeo’s dad, but after the first Mrs Capulet’s death in a car crash (with Montague in the car) the wild days ended. 

Old habits die hard and Friar isn’t averse to selling hash & weed to the teenagers who come into his shop. He even lets them smoke upstairs or out the back.

Something of a reformed character these days – although he still likes a smoke – Friar has ambitions to become a figure within the community, perhaps bringing more liberal values to the stuffy town.

In particular Friar’s very keen to support the young people in the area. He knows how boring it can be to grow up in a rural town, and how that boredom can lead to doing stupid things.

At every opportunity Friar is keen to offer teens of the town advice, a safe haven and a bit of gentle partying (in a naff, 90s, summer-of-love style). He helps others too: silver surfer computer classes; working with the disabled supporters group at the local football club; volunteering for practically anything that involves young people having fun.

About The Actor: Geoffrey Newland

Your life-story in a tweet: Scottish,qualified Barrister,travelled world for 2 yrs.Trained:Bristol Old Vic & Lee Strasberg.Credits:Romeo & Juliet(RSC),Spooks(BBC),RNIB.

Favourite acting part so far? Ah, definitely Macbeth.

What do you like doing online? Aside trying to remember why I went online in the first place, find new bands, listen to 6music, learn guitar tabs and look at camper vans I can’t afford.

What's the essential difference between you and Laurence Friar? I’m much better looking.

Your main offstage ambition: Design and build my own home and win 2 Oscars so one can go in the loo.