Following the news that 18 drama school students from across the UK have been awarded Laurence Olivier bursaries, we caught up with a few of the winners to find out what the bursary means to them.
Now in its 37th year, the Laurence Olivier bursaries are awarded to exceptional students who are entering their final year of drama school. Previous winners have included Michael Sheen, Paterson Joseph, Ewan McGregor and Michaela Coel. Let’s meet some of this year’s recipients…
What does this year’s bursary mean to you?
Erin Findlay (top left): I feel absolutely over the moon and extremely grateful to have been accepted as a recipient. The audition process was a fantastic opportunity within itself, so to have been selected is a cherry on the cake. And because financial stress has been alleviated, I feel extremely motivated to work even harder and make the most out of my final year of training.
Cormac McAlinden (top far left): I am honoured to have even been considered for this bursary and had a fantastic experience on audition day. I felt so welcomed by the panel and everyone involved in making the day possible. This bursary is a lifeline for me as I move into final year and prepare to enter the industry.
Nico Minnott (top right): I am forever grateful for this blessing, as this bursary is crucial to following my dream of becoming a successful actor. I won’t have to worry too much about compromising investment into my art for rent and groceries. Of course, I can’t talk about my love for acting without talking about my love for my mum. Being a single immigrant parent hasn’t been easy for her, and she had always supported me financially, even if it came at the cost of her own comfort. With the bursary, I can finally give myself some independent support – and gift my mum some thank-you cards as well!
Alasdair Linn (lower left): Winning this bursary means feeling ease and relief for the final year of my training. It means dedicating my time to preparing our Rep plays, building characters, and thriving in rehearsal. It means feeling confident and excited to dive feet first into next year. I am incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement in which SOLT has entrusted me.
Thomas Barrett (far right): After having so many issues with Student Finance throughout my first two years, I feel like such a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It takes some of my financial concerns surrounding funding my final year and allows me to focus my attention on completing my course. I am beyond grateful to the board for awarding me The Sir Peter and Lady Saunders Laurence Olivier Bursary.
Gabriel Whalley (centre left): It means a lot to me, and I’m really thankful to everyone on the panel and at SOLT for choosing me. As I head into my third year, the most crucial part of my acting school journey, this support will let me focus entirely on my craft without any distractions. I’m so grateful for this opportunity because it allows me to give my all to my studies, performances, and the connections I make with my peers and mentors, ultimately strengthening my future in the industry.
Elise Aldred (centre right): I was so excited to be given the opportunity to perform on a West End stage, I didn’t even think about winning! For the last two years, I have really struggled working upwards of 24 hours a week, plus my full time training. This money means that I can now really focus on my third year and my career. I am forever grateful!
What do you see as being the most important to the future of the theatre industry?
TB: One of the most important things is the accessibility to theatre, whether it be attending a show or career pathways into the industry. That’s why opportunities such as this are so crucial in breaking down barriers for working class people.
CM: It hinges on recognising and supporting young talent from diverse backgrounds. It is crucial to provide a fair and level playing field for all aspiring talents, both on and off stage, regardless of their socioeconomic background. By offering the support necessary to foster a rich and diverse environment, we can move closer to achieving the goal of ensuring that no deserving talent goes undiscovered.
EF: Funding is crucial to the future of the industry, so that there can be a consistent influx of new talent – and that opportunities can be given to people from all backgrounds and experiences. Theatre shouldn’t be exclusive, it’s a community and opening doors to everyone makes it exciting and powerful.
EA: Musical theatre training needs to be more affordable. I have watched so many incredibly talented young people have to stop following their dream due to financial restrictions. Even after training, actors are having to work 2-3 jobs on top of their show to afford to live. Something does need to change!
AL: Affordable, accessible performances and bold, innovative productions. As a recipient of the bursary, I am passionate about accessibility, in terms of financial, physical, and, as a northerner, regional accessibility. With most of my experience in devised, fringe theatre, I am excited by unconventional, new theatre.
NM: Freedom of expression. We all say “art is subjective,” but I don’t think we really live by that statement. Art deserves to be seen, even if said art is polarising, controversial or unconventional. No great artist in history ever found success by following the rules; they challenged tradition, despite whatever criticism they faced. Not everyone will like what you do, but thus is the way of life.
GW: Diversity in storytelling, both in the characters we play, the stories we tell and the people who play/tell them. Frequent cuts to funding of the arts and threats to funding in arts education means it is now more important than ever to champion inclusion.
What’s your dream role, and why?
NM: Spider-Man – Miles Morales. This was my first ever role, which I played when I first learned how to talk. Swinging around my bedroom, spinning imaginary webs at the mirror; there was no feeling like it. I personally prefer darker characters, but Spider-Man is the exception. I pray that I get to wear the web-slinger’s mask on the big screen one day!
CM: My dream role is Kostya in The Seagull. I studied the character in my course’s first-year Chekhov intensive and got to play the character in the famous bandage scene with his mother. I found him fascinating; he unlocked a deeper appreciation in me for what is possible in theatre. I would love to revisit the character in the future and tell his whole story.
TB: I don’t have a particular dream role as there are so many avenues I’d like to explore. I do have a new-found love for Shakespeare and would love to perform at Shakespeare’s Globe – and I’d also love to originate a theatre role, one day!
EF: I’d love to create my own dream role! I feel really inspired to create my own work at this stage of my training. And while there are thousands of exciting characters out there, I would love the opportunity to bring my own words to a stage – words that reflect my own experiences, influences, and voice.
AL: My dream role is Macbeth. The first play I remember watching was a schools version of Macbeth. We were in our school hall on a summer’s day, and I remember feeling the Court, feeling the witches, feeling the drama. As part of the schools version we created Lord and Lady versions of ourselves: I was Lord Linn of Sheffield, and I loved playing him! My passion for the play – its poetry, its atmosphere – has only increased since. Indeed, the ‘vaulting ambition’ speech was one of my monologues for the SOLT Bursary audition.
GW: I have many dream roles on my bucket list but if I had to say one, I’d love to play an anti-hero like Hamlet, or a villain. I want to have the most fun with a role as I can, and what role is more fun to tackle than these?!
EA: Throughout my childhood, Mary Poppins was on a constant rotation of films I watched with my family. It was the first musical I was in, so I think of it as the musical that got me into musicals. I recently played Mary Poppins for the wonderful Mark Hedges in the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama showcase, which has made me realise she’s my dream role. What a beautiful and magical character to play!
Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Laurence Olivier Bursaries – you can find out more about the bursaries and see all the winners on the Official London Theatre website.