Stars Of Stage And Screen To Return To Eastbourne College For New Creative Arts Festival

Saturday, 16 April 2022 07:00

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

This Spring will see Eastbourne College host the new Circus Creative Arts Festival, welcoming back former pupils to grace the stage where they first got to tread the boards.

A high profile cast includes actor Ed Speleers, of Downton Abbey and Outlander fame, and TV drama pioneer Derek Granger, the veteran producer best known for his early work on Coronation Street and the Bafta-winning Brideshead Revisited, which starred Laurence Olivier.

Derek is Eastbourne College’s oldest living former pupil and will return to the school on April 24 — the day after his 101st birthday — to take part in a special Q&A with theatre director David Grindley and share stories from his incredible life and career in television.

The Circus Creative Arts Festival takes place from 21 to 24 April and will raise money for the school’s bursary programme, which enables children from low-income families to benefit from an education at Eastbourne College and St Andrew’s Prep.

Ed Speleers said:

“My bursary from Eastbourne College meant everything to me, and without it, put simply, I would not have been able to attend the school.

“Had I not attended the College and had access to the teachers, mentors and opportunities offered to me, I seriously question whether I would be in the fortunate position I find myself in now, in terms of my career as an actor.”

Ed will be sharing stories from his career and his time at Eastbourne College in conversation with Nigel Wheeler, his former tutor and English teacher at the school, on Friday 22 April.

Other highlights from the programme include A Masterclass in Classical Singing with international tenor Mark Le Brocq and writer Paul Mayhew Archer’s inspiring show Incurable Optimist, about the therapeutic power of comedy and living with Parkinson’s disease.

Headmaster Tom Lawson said:

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming back former pupils and to hear from performers and artists of all kinds – from opera singers to writers and actors.

“We’re excited to welcome back Derek Granger, our oldest living former pupil and television legend, to hear tales from his remarkable life and to mark his 101st birthday."

Tickets are now on sale for the Circus Creative Arts Festival at Eastbourne College, with the full programme and bookings available online.