Twin brothers Jonah and Christian Lees – both rising stars in Hollywood – have paid tribute to their Clacton roots and the Princes Youth Theatre as they take on roles in the new Superman movie.

The brothers, who were born in Colchester and raised in Clacton, portray Dean and Desmond Farr in the new DC Universe blockbuster Superman, directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel.

Jonah and Christian’s journey to the big screen began on the stage of the Tendring District Council-run Princes Theatre in Clacton, where they joined the Princes Youth Theatre at just six years old.

They later attended Holland Park Primary School before earning places at the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School in London.

The brothers, who play members of Lex Luthor’s squad in the film, bonded on set with Hollywood star Nicholas Hoult – who portrays Luthor – as fellow alumni of Sylvia Young.

Jonah, who previously portrayed John Lennon in Midas Man, returned to the Princes Youth Theatre last year to lead a Q&A session with students, sharing insights from his career and encouraging young performers to stay passionate and resilient.

“The Princes Youth Theatre was an absolute game-changer for me and Christian,” said Jonah.

“Before we ever landed our first stage or on-screen roles, it was the place where we got to perform on a real, professional stage with a live audience.

“It wasn’t just some casual club run by whoever was around — it was real training with people who actually knew their theatre craft.

“It’s without a doubt a huge part of what enabled us to be able to book our first leading West End roles at the ages of eight and ten.

“It was a huge part of the careers we’re lucky enough to have today.”

Christian added: “My time at the Princes Youth Theatre was without a doubt pivotal to my career.

“Being able to perform on stage at such a young age, to be trained by seasoned practitioners like Melissa Wenn, and most importantly the fun we had while training there, are all part of the reason I chose the career path I did.”

Their mother Danni Boscarelli is a singer and composer while their father Chris Lees is also musician – making the arts a family affair.

The brothers credit their upbringing and early exposure to performance with shaping their creative paths.

Councillor Gary Scott, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture and Heritage, said the council and the youth theatre are proud of the twin’s success.

“Jonah and Christian’s success is a shining example of what can be achieved when young people are given the chance to explore their talents in a supportive environment,” he said,

“We’re incredibly proud of them and grateful for the time they continue to give back to the Princes Youth Theatre.

"The youth theatre remains committed to supporting young talent, raising their aspirations and providing unique opportunities to learn from professionals in the field.”

The Princes Youth Theatre remains a vibrant, inclusive space for young people to explore their creative potential through classes, workshops and performance opportunities.

For more information, visit princestheatre.co.uk/youth-theatre.