Andy Serkis, the actor who achieved worldwide fame as Gollum on the big screen and whose acting career began at the Dukes theatre in Lancaster, is to become an honorary patron of the venue.
By coincidence, it comes about at the time that the Dukes is staging its own outdoor version of The Hobbit in Williamson Park, the same setting where Andy appeared in The Dukes very first outdoor walkabout play—A Midsummer Night's Dream—in 1987.
He had been studying visual arts at Lancaster University but became heavily involved in the theatre studies department and decided to become an actor.
"I am delighted to become an honorary patron of The Dukes where I started to learn my craft," said Andy.
"I performed in 14 plays on the trot, in a wide variety of plays and I remember my time in Lancaster with great fondness."
Andy last visited The Dukes about seven years ago when he brought his children to look around the theatre which played such an important part in his life.
The Dukes will be marking the 30th anniversary of walkabout productions next summer so although Andy is currently directing a feature film and is unable to return to Lancaster this summer it is hoped he may play some part in next year’s celebrations.
After leaving The Dukes, he had a busy stage career across the country and in London and in the '90s his film and television career took off. In 1999, he was offered the role of Gollum in the epic film trilogy of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings saga and received accolades for his motion capture performance.
Other films in which he has appeared include King Kong and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. He's also played Ian Dury in Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll and Einstein and Ian Brady for television.
As an honorary patron, he joins Sarah Lancashire, Cherylee Houston and Christine Mackie in supporting the county’s only building-based professional producing theatre.