The stage is set for a city acting student

A student from a Chester acting school has secured a place at the UK’s most prestigious and well known drama school.

Louise Wilson, a student at the North West End Acting School (NWEAS), will join the acting course at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) in London’s Bloomsbury in September.

The 21-year-old former Upton-by-Chester High School student, who  has been working in hotels and pubs in the city since leaving school, will now follow in the footsteps of RADA alumni like Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Tony award winner Sophie Okonedo, the voice of Paddington Bear Ben Wishaw and Welsh superstar Sir Anthony Hopkins.

Last September’s application process was Louise’s third attempt to follow her dream to drama school.

She said: “It’s amazing.  I honestly didn’t think I would get in this time and when they offered me a place, I thought they must have made a mistake.”

She admits that she doesn’t come from a traditionally theatrical family but got into drama when she was in primary school.

“I was quite shy at school but teachers said they noticed that I came out of my shell when I was on stage,” says Louise.

“When my parents first heard I wanted to be an actor they both joked it was their worst nightmare but they have been very supportive and now that they know I am so committed, they are buzzing!”

Director of NWEAS Lucy Thatcher said: “We are so proud of Louise.  It is so tough to get in to RADA and her talent and determination have paid off.  She has worked constantly to hone and develop her skills and has now reaped the ultimate reward.”

As a youngster Louise was a member of the B-It theatre  group at All Saints Church in Hoole and then joined Storyhouse Young Company.  In 2019 she landed the Young Actor role in Twelfth Night at the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre and appeared in Blue Stockings at Storyhouse just before lockdown in 2020.  Her latest venture was a successful Monday Monologues event at Brewery Tap in Lower Bridge Street last month.

NWEAS co-director Francis Tucker added:  “Louise understands that a lot about a career in the theatre is hard graft.  She is prepared to put in the work and we know that she has got what it takes to go far in the industry.”

Francis and Lucy are joining forces with Echo and the Bunnymen’s Jez Wing this month on a summer workshop based around the Cheshire favourite Alice in Wonderland.  The workshop runs from July 25-30 at Garden Lane Uniting Church and is open to anyone aged 14 and above.  More information is available from:

www.northwestendactingschool.co.uk/workshops

...or telephone:

07976586060

Pictured - Louise Wilson, a student at the North West End Acting School.