Vader stars in Jayce’s new video
THE man who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy has starred in his last ever production in south Wales.
Now 81, Dave Prowse has gone in front of the camera one last time for his good friend and longtime collaborator, rock musician Jayce Lewis.
The pair – who Dave describes as having a relationship “like father and son” – have been on set in a 315,000sq ft warehouse near Port Talbot to shoot scenes for Jayce’s new single Shields, from his forthcoming solo album Orderart.
They met at a Star Wars convention almost 20 years ago and, after discovering a shared interest in music, Dave later became Jayce’s manager and business partner.
“It’s a nice relationship, which has gone on for years,” said Dave of his partnership with Jayce, 32.
“It’s nice to have common interests. We have known each other for so long it’s like father and son working together.”
In the music video, Dave, who brought the most popular movie villain in history to life, plays a menacing government chief in charge of a secret experiment which opens a portal to another world and unleashes energy which he and his stooges struggle to control. That energy includes Jayce, 32, from Kenfig Hill, near Bridgend.
Transported into our realm from a parallel universe, Jayce struggles to free himself from the tyranny of his oppressor – played by Dave – who is none too pleased with the turn of events.
Jayce, who also built and runs his own music studio called Northstone just outside Bridgend, said the plot mirrors struggles he has had within the music industry and also the wider issues of government control of individuals.
Now with a new major label and back releasing music under his own name, instead of that of Protafield, Jayce – who has collaborated with icons including Gary Numan, Queen drummer Roger Taylor and Brian May – said he wants to show the world how he’s back on track.
Having already scored a number one album in Asia, Jayce – who codirected his latest video with friend Richard Starkey – said: “This is getting my identity back and releasing the first single back under my solo name. My mentor Dave Prowse has stuck by me through thick and thin.”
From casting Dave in the leading role to coming up with the plot, Jayce has taken a hands-on approach to this latest project, even constructing the large metal truss which portrayed the government’s portal with friend and long-time lighting engineer Matt Wood.
The set – which was actually John Pye Auctions on Kenfig Industrial Estate – was provided by a fan and another friend of Jayce’s, Adam Pye.
“Every video I have done has been within five miles of my house,” said Jayce.