School kids to get acting masterclass from Kenneth Branagh

1:06pm Tuesday 8th January 2008

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Hollywood heavyweight Kenneth Branagh is to run a masterclass for local school children at Richmond Theatre this Friday.

The multi award-winning actor, director and producer will work with pupils from 10 schools, each of which has nominated one Year 10 or Year 11 drama student to take part.

"I know it’s just a small part of what’s going on with drama and education in the borough, but I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Kenneth Branagh

The schools participating are Grey Court School, Hampton Community College, Orleans Park, Shene School, Whitton School, Clarendon School, Strathmore School, Waldegrave School, Teddington School, Christ's School and Richmond-Upon-Thames College.

"Experience of the arts in education is immensely important," said Mr Branagh, whose most recent project was a feature film of Mozart's The Magic Flute.

"This is a great opportunity to have a dialogue between theatre professionals, teachers and young people. I know it's just a small part of what's going on with drama and education in the borough, but I'm proud to be a part of it."

Friday's two-hour session has been made possible through a generous Richmond resident, who won the masterclass in a charity auction for Thames Hospice care, only to donate it to the education department of Richmond Theatre.

An excited Karin Gartzke, chief executive of Richmond Theatre, said: "This fantastic opportunity to invite students to our venue to participate in a masterclass with such a leading theatrical figure as Kenneth Branagh is a real coup and we hope he will help to inspire not just the students directly involved but their teachers and their peers."

Visit richmondtheatre.net for more on its education programme.