MMU actor wins 2009 Alan Bates Bursary

MMU Acting graduate Christine Clare (22) has been announced as the winner of this year’s Alan Bates Bursary.

The young actor saw off 160 others from drama schools across the UK to win the prestigious award, worth £2,000.

Launched by the Actors Centre five years ago in honour of its former patron, the Bursary is designed to help promising young actors who have recently graduated from National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) accredited courses. It is open to any actor under the age of thirty who graduated in 2009.

Gifted young actress

16 candidates were chosen from a first round of auditions to attend a workshop held by the Artistic Director of the Actors Centre, Matthew Lloyd. Of the selected graduates eight were then put forward for the final, panelled by actors Henry Goodman and Lindsay Duncan.

Caroline Byrne, Membership Manager at the Actors Centre, said: “We are thrilled to announce that Christine is this year’s Alan Bates Bursary winner. She’s a very gifted young actress and this bursary will help her establish her career both in Manchester and in London.”

Incredible honour

Belfast-born Christine is delighted with the award, which was presented by actor Brian Cox. She commented: “When graduating from drama school it’s easy to feel like a little fish lost in a big pond, but winning the Alan Bates Bursary is just what I need to help keep me from drowning. This incredible honour has given me such confidence for entering the profession and I feel ecstatic with the amount of help and support I’m receiving at the beginning of my career.”

Whilst studying at the School of Theatre Christine appeared in The House of Blue Leaves, Harvest, Hard Times and took the title role in Mary Stuart at MMU’s Capitol Theatre. She also performed in a new play, Freshers, during Manchester’s 24:7 theatre festival in July.

Tribute to School of Theatre tutors

David Salter, Senior Lecturer in Acting at MMU, represented the School of Theatre at the award ceremony. He said: “We are all delighted for Christine and congratulate her on winning this prestigious award. It’s a great start to the new academic year and a tribute to all who have trained and supported her during the last three years.”

Christine’s prize includes membership of the Actors Centre for one year and classes to the value of £1000, a year’s subscription to Spotlight magazine and subsidies to cover career expenses such as headshots, show reels, voice demos and a personal website.

MMU’s School of Theatre has a long history of producing high calibre and successful actors, including Julie Walters, Richard Griffiths, Amanda Burton, John Thompson and Steve Coogan.