Starmaker- Kate Winslet inspires young actors by returning to her former stage school
Last updated 29/06/2009 11:31:55
Starmaker- Kate Winslet - photo courtesy of the movie The Reader
She is a huge Hollywood name and Oscar winner too, but actress Kate Winslet showed she's still down to earth when she delighted pupils with a surprise return visit to her former stage school.
Kate, who's patron of amateur dramatic group Starmaker, made an unannounced visit to Blessed Hugh Faringdon School in Soutcote. The room erupted when the curtains she was hiding behind were pulled back to reveal the Reading-born actress.
"Don't be shy, because I am very normal," she assured them. "Some of the people in this room can absolutely vouch for that. Ask me questions, anything you like."
And true to her word, Kate took part in a question and answer session with young actors, participated in a drama workshop and watched rehearsals for forthcoming productions of Boogie Nights and Wizard of Oz.
Asked about first night nerves, she told budding actors: "The great thing is when the lights come on you, you as the performers on the stage, you're so blinded by the lights, you can't see the audience, so it's fantastic. You don't have to be all nervous at all."