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love of Jamie |
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THIS
STORY LAST UPDATED:
01 October 2002 1120 BST
So
devoted is an American fan of British heart-throb Jamie Bamber,
that she is preparing for a 6,000 mile weekend trip just to
see him on stage in Bristol.
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| Jamie
Bamber has a devoted American fan |
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Beth
Callaway is a 47-year-old mother from Georgia in the United
States. Not someone you would expect to have a crush on a young
British actor.
But Beth has been a devoted fan since she first caught sight
of Jamie on American television.
And she is happy to spend time and money to watch him perform.
Jamie came to the attention of viewers worldwide in his swashbuckling
role as Archie Kennedy, best friend of Horatio in the Hornblower
series.
That's where Beth first set eyes on him in April 1999, though
she's not sure exactly what the initial attraction was.
Character
"It's hard to say, the character he played just took my
eye," she told the BBC.
"The more I watched, the more I saw a lot in Jamie and
just continued to follow his career."
Beth says her husband and friends are fine with her devotion
to Jamie, though admits her children laugh at her a little,
even her youngest son, who is himself a would-be actor in New
York.
So taken was Beth with the Hornblower star though that she decided
to send her first ever fan letter.
"He seemed a nice young man and I thought it would be nice
to send a supportive letter," she said.
The two have been corresponding ever since and Beth has kept
up with Jamie's career in the UK with the help of British friends
who send her video tapes.
September 11
And just weeks after the events of September 11th last year
Beth was one of the few Americans brave enough to take to the
skies, coming across the pond to watch Jamie perform.
Beth also now runs a website devoted to Jamie, with the help
of two fans from Holland.
Most of the site's hits come from the US, with hits from Britain
the second highest.
Although busy with work for a charity, Beth is determined to
see Jamie on stage in Bristol.
Prince Hal
He makes his Old Vic debut as Prince Hal in Henry IV part I,
which begins on October 11th.
She is flying over on the first Saturday of the show and hopes
to see two performances before heading back to the States on
the Monday - a 6,000 mile round-trip.
But isn't this a bit of an expensive crush?
"I am definitely a devoted fan," admits Beth.
"But he's such a nice young man, I can't complain."
Henry IV Parts I and II are at the Bristol Old Vic from October
11th - November 30th.
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"The
character he played just took my eye"
Beth Callaway |
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