Camden News: The WAC | Actor Richard Wilson | pledges support | Trustees

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Camden News - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 18 December 2008

Actor Richard Wilson (centre) with trustees Patricia Orwell and Peter Davey

‘The WAC changed our lives’

Actor Richard Wilson pledges support after watching a foot-stomping show

ACTOR Richard Wilson enjoyed a show by members of the Weekend Arts College (WAC) so much he has agreed to give budding thespians a masterclass, the New Journal can reveal.
From passages from Othello to the latest in street dance moves, the One Foot In The Grave star helped celebrate the 30th birthday of a ground- breaking performing arts charity with a show that used all the talent of the participants.
On Sunday night the WAC, based at the Hampstead Town Hall, in Belsize Park, did what it does best – put on a foot-stomping show.
Mr Wilson met staff and pupils from the past and the present, and said: “I have heard about the work they do and wanted to find out more about what goes on.”
Helen Marcus, a former professional singer and the chairwoman of the Friends of Hampstead Town Hall, said she had been moved by the talent on display.
She said: “It was an inspiring and also a humbling evening giving a snapshot of the wonderful work WAC has done with over 30,000 young people, many from deprived and underprivileged backgrounds, over the years.
“Former alumni introduced each section, speaking movingly about what WAC meant to them. The common refrain was that ‘WAC changed the course of my life’.
“As one said, many of them had ‘a troubled life with troubled people around you’, but at WAC they all found ‘a place where you feel safe and welcome.’”
The evenings events were split into two shows made up of all the courses held.
They ranged from Shakespeare to a capella singing. Chief executive Celia Greenwood said: “It was lovely to see lots of old friends.”

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: