The Velveteen Rabbit Starring Our Very Own Phoenix L

As we look forward to the Christmas holidays with all the lovely books to read and festive favourites on the tv, we are very proud of Phoenix L in Year 6 who is starring in the film adaptation of Margery Williams’ The Velveteen Rabbit which is on Apple TV!

The adaptation is a recreation of the 1922 classic by screenwriter, Tom Bidwell ( My Mad Fat Diary) and Martin Pope (The Gruffalo) and is a beautiful mix of live-action and also animation.

Phoenix auditioned for the role in 2022 and the live action portion of the movie was filmed in Dublin in November last year. The film features a star-studded cast including Helena Bonham-Carter as Wise Horse, Alex Lauther as Velveteen Rabbit,  Nicola Coughlan as the Playroom Fairy and Tilly Vosburgh as Momo.

Phoenix’s mother Zoe told us, ‘Some of the trickiest parts were recording his voice for the animation scenes in a recording studio but he quickly got the hang of it as well as having to perform with the rabbit when the rabbit wasn’t even there. He was totally unperturbed by the entire experience, even when we arrived on set with all the cameras and trucks and people, he just instantly felt right at home’.

The costumes in the film are wonderful and Phoenix loved the clothes that were made for him. All his outfits, even his pyjamas, school uniform and cricket outfit were bespoke. Phoenix had a tutor on set who kept him up to date on any school work that he was missing. The film has already received rave reviews including The Los Angeles Times which quotes Pope recalling how pleased they were at casting Phoenix in the role of William, describing it as ‘a critical point, because much of the story hinges on his performance. On the first day of filming, Pope called Apple and said, “We are going to be all right.” He recalls one of the crew members getting teary after watching Laroche perform in rehearsal. “He’s really a natural. I think he’s tremendous. Imagine having that much talent at that age,” Pope says.’

Hazlegrove Headmaster, Ed Benbow said, ‘We are so proud of Phoenix, it was a privilege for the whole school to watch the trailer in our latest celebration assembly, and we are very much looking forward to watching the film!’.