Students of drama at Abbey Gate College continue to go from strength to strength.

Following successes at the Shropshire Festival of Verse and Prose, the college production of Guys and Dolls , students attending auditions for a new BBC drama based on Chester Zoo and the recent workshop from professional make-up artist, they have now received expert advice from professional actor and BAFTA award winner Richard Elfyn.

Richard has appeared in numerous productions, films and TV shows including To Kill a Mockingbird , Emmerdale , Sam Tan (the welsh version of Fireman Sam) and is currently performing in Under Milk Wood at Clwyd Theatr Cymru before embarking on a world tour.

The pupils were given the chance to ask him questions about the industry and his experiences of working in many different mediums. Alongside the talk, Richard also told tales of his famous friends including Gavin and Stacey ’s Ruth Jones and Notting Hill ’s Rhys Ifans, and were treated to impressions and small excerpts of numerous characters.

Following this, Isabel Wheatland, the leading lady of the college’s last production has been offered a place in the world renowned Arts Educational School in London.

Izzy, who recently performed the role of Miss Adelaide in the college’s production of Guys and Dolls , had to perform two monologues, two songs and undertake a dance workshop and face fierce competition in order to gain her place on the two year Acting course which will commence in September.

Famous alumni of the school include Will Young, Catherine Zeta Jones and Martin Clunes and Izzy will follow in their footsteps and learn how to perform for the stage, TV and films. Head of drama, Charlotte Andrews, comments: “Isabel has shown great promise as an actress and has the potential to do very well in this industry. We wish Izzy every success in this exciting venture and look forward to seeing her name in lights in the future.”