Three of the most prolific and celebrated theatre makers in the country are to become our patrons and supporters of the University of Exeter.
Stiles and Drewe are a multi-award-winning musical theatre writing partnership whose shows have been seen all over the world and have been translated into many languages. Their scores include the international smash-hit Cameron Mackintosh / Disney production of Mary Poppins, the Olivier Award-winning Honk! and most recently Half a Sixpence and The Wind in the Willows.
Their illustrious career started when they were students at the University and were given the chance to stage a production at the Northcott Theatre. Their first production together, Tutankhamun, transformed the Northcott stage and received standing ovations each night.
George Stiles said: ‘I remember looking out at all those people clapping and thinking I could get used to this! That moment was the start of it all and led to our first meeting with Cameron Mackintosh. We were so lucky that the University had a theatre on campus and that first handshake with the Theatre Manager led to many more handshakes and fantastic projects. We were given a chance and it’s so important that the next generation of theatre-makers are given that chance too.’
‘As a student arriving at Exeter in 1980, I think the building that I frequented the most was the Northcott Theatre, which probably didn’t impress my lecturers in the Department of Biological Sciences!’ added Anthony Drewe. ‘If it hadn’t been for the theatre, standing as it does in the middle of campus, I think my life and career would have gone in a very different direction.’
Photo by Ralph Whitehead
Nick Allott left the University to work at the Northcott in 1973 and has since enjoyed a distinguished career in theatre production. He spent 40 years working for Cameron Mackintosh and was Executive Producer on the original London productions of Cats, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton and many others. He said. ‘One of my earliest memories was standing on the Northcott stage and holding out my arm to be used as a ballet bar for one of Rambert’s principal dancers! I had to learn lots quickly, but I loved every moment. It was my first job in the theatre and laid the foundations for a long and happy career.’
Returning to the campus and to the theatre last November, Stiles, Drewe and Allott took time to watch a showcase of work by current drama students who were able to meet and receive advice from the esteemed alumni.
Allott said: ‘Spending time with the Drama department and their engaged and ambitious students was very rewarding. Both the Northcott Theatre and the University Drama Department are nurturing the writing, acting and producing stars of the next generation and that’s very exciting.’
As Patrons of Exeter Northcott and champions of the University of Exeter, George Stiles, Anthony Drewe and Nick Allott will offer ongoing support to the development of the creative industries in Exeter including annual visits to the city, and meeting students along with South West theatre-makers to offer practical advice, support and inspiration.
Jane Milling, Head of the Department of Communications, Drama and Film at Exeter, said; ‘The University has a strategic commitment to showcase, celebrate and nurture the creative industries in the region and we’re thrilled that Stiles and Drewe and Nick Allott will work with us to support this mission.’
Photo by South West Theatre Photography
Photo by Lillie Sherry
Emma Stephenson, Kelly Johnson, and Martin Berry, our joint Chief Executives added; ‘Exeter Northcott has launched the careers of so many writers, directors and performers in theatre as well as in film, TV and music. Regional theatres have a crucial role in supporting that talent pipeline and our new Patrons demonstrate the importance of providing students the opportunity to stage their work in a professional theatre. It can be life changing for the artists themselves and for the many thousands of people who later benefit from the work they create. We are all hugely grateful to George, Anthony and Nick for agreeing to support this work and for sharing in our mission and values.’
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