News

Olivier award for East 15 student

For an unprecedented six years out of seven, a student from East 15 Acting School has won the Laurence Olivier Bursary - the most prestigious national award for drama students in the UK.

This year's top prize of £7,500 was awarded to second year acting student Arsher Ali, 20, from Nottingham.

Thanks to this award, Arsher will be freed from financial worries and able to make the most of his final year at East 15. 'I now have the confidence and opportunity to pour all my focus and attention into my work,' he said.

'I am taking great joy in my work and have fallen in love with theatre and its ability to inspire.'

John Baraldi, Director of East 15, said: 'This prestigious award to Arsher recognises his extraordinary professional potential. Arsher is a powerful, sensitive and intelligent actor, and his success reflects his hard work and talent.'

The Laurence Olivier Bursaries are open to second-year drama students attending one of the 22 schools whose courses are accredited by the National Council for Drama Training. The two-day selection process for the award involved a ten-minute audition on a West End stage, followed by an interview.

Arsher's success comes hot on the heels of news that two East 15 graduates have been selected to take part in Kevin Spacey's extraordinary 24 Hour play festival at the Old Vic in London. Over 2,000 professional actors auditioned, and only 31 were selected.

Additionally, two recent East 15 graduates have been cast in leading roles in major films. Jamie Maclachlan will play Roger Bannister - the runner who broke the four-minute mile barrier - in a film with Christopher Plummer, and Martin Brody will appear as Mohammed Atta, the leader of the 9/11 plot.

 

Picture caption: Laurence Olivier Award winner, Arsher Ali

British Academy Fellows announced

Three Essex Professors have been elected Fellows of the British Academy, it has just been announced.

The British Academy is the national academy for the humanities and the social sciences, and just 35 Fellowships are awarded each year following a rigorous selection process.

Professor Miriam Glucksmann of the Department of Sociology, Professor David Sanders, of the Department of Government, and Professor Marina Warner of the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies have all been awarded the prestigious honour in recognition of their distinction as scholars in the humanities and social sciences.

Legal aid

Major Essex Law firm, Birkett Long, will be supporting four students from October with the introduction of a new bursary scheme.

The Birkett Long Bursaries, worth £1,000 each, will be awarded to final year undergraduate students. Two will be awarded to students studying Law and a further two to students who have demonstrated sporting excellence. The bursaries will be awarded on the basis of financial need and academic merit, with priority given to students from the Essex region.

'The University has been fortunate to receive the support of Birkett Long for a number of years,' said Dominic Boyd, Head of Development and Alumni Relations. 'These new bursaries will make a real difference to four deserving students.'

If you would like to apply for the bursary scheme, Law students should contact Yvonne Cattrall, Department Administrator in Law, on ext 2586 or e-mail yscatt@essex.ac.uk. Sporting students should contact Rob Croxson, Assistant Director of Sport, on ext 3246 or e-mail rjcrox@essex.ac.uk. Applications must be received by the end of July.

Also in the printed July edition of Wyvern:

• Lecturer wins national teaching award
• Degree Day celebrations
• Over 3,000 enjoy party atmosphere
• Why is Shrek on the cover of Square 1