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Dateline: 6th April, 2005
New Actors' Centre Patron The Actors' Centre in Covent Garden is delighted to announce the appointment of Julie Walters as its new Patron. She takes over the role from the late Sir Alan Bates.
Julie is one of the UK's most respected and well-loved actresses. She has returned to the West End triumphantly this year in Victoria Woods' Acorn Antiques - The Musical.
For 25 years, the Actors' Centre has held a unique place in the performing arts in this country. It is the pre-eminent creative resource for the acting profession, and has provided artistic development for countless performers who provide the backbone of our entertainment industry on stage and screen.
"I am delighted, and flattered, to be asked to become the new Patron of the Actors' Centre, particularly following in the footsteps of Sir Alan Bates," Julie Walters said. "The work of the Centre, a unique organisation making a very important contribution to working actors and the industry in general, provides a vital space in London where actors can take part in all the dynamic and innovative work it does. I hope it continues to prosper at Tower Street for many years to come."
Matthew Lloyd, Artistic Director, commented, "This is a tremendously exciting moment in the development of the Actors' Centre. Julie epitomises the values of commitment to the craft and virtuoso daring that all actors hold dear - and her huge popularity will boost our cause in every quarter."
Sir Peter Hall, a member of the Advisory Board, added, "Julie Walters is a remarkable actress - a perfect amalgam of instinct and craft; she is also an amazing human being. The Actors' Centre is very lucky to have her as their new Patron."
As Patron, Julie will be an invaluable asset in raising the profile of the Actors' Centre and its venue, the Tristan Bates Theatre.
It costs over £2,000 a day to run the Actors' Centre, half of which comes from membership and course fees. There is always an ongoing need to increase revenue income in order to maintain and develop the quality and quantity of classes, workshops and related activities. The building is heavily dependent on annual grants and donations received from the BBC, ITV, Channel Four, five, UIP, Equity and Spotlight.
A new fundraising drive for the building will shortly be launched, the centrepiece of which is the creation of a state-of-the-art Media Studio dedicated to the memory of the late John Thaw, whose wife, Sheila Hancock, was one of the Centre's founders. Please note that all three Archive indices are very long and will therefore take some time to download.
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