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Alumni update: Sebastian So, Louis Bernard and Ellie Ward

Sebastian So in BBC's One Child

A major BBC2 3-part drama, One Child, set in China started on Wednesday 17th February on BBC2. The drama borrows its name from China’s controversial population-control policy, introduced in 1978 and soon to be phased out.

The cast includes two first-class Chinese actors playing leading roles, one of which is our very own 2013 grad Sebastian So, who plays Li-Jun (aka Ajun), framed for murder and condemned to death by a corrupt system. So’s co-star Mardy Ma plays his mother who, with his Westernised sister (played by Harry Potter’s Katie Leung), attempts to free him.

Watch the trailer here

1 child

Since it’s been aired, the show has received many reviews in the press, including The Times.

Well done Sebastian!

Ellie Ward as Anne Boleyn in Belper Festival

ellie ward
Copyrights | JGW Photography | www.jgw-photography.co.uk

Ellie Ward, who completed a foundation course at ALRA North, is returning to Belper Festival to play the challenging role of Anne Boleyn, after wowing audiences at the same festival back in 2013. Ellie’s outstanding performance in Educating Rita in 2013 amazed playwright and festival organiser George Gunby, who said he has pretty much written the part for Ellie, having been impressed by her acting for several years.

Ellie has accepted this role and has said:

Because I have been away I haven’t been involved in the festival for the last couple of years, but when George asked if I would be interested in playing Anne Boleyn I jumped at the chance as I know that you can always rely on George to write something good.

I have seen the first drafts of the script and it really is quite interesting. It is based on the final days of her life. I am currently researching the character very carefully because I want to get it just right. I have even been to the Tower of London. This is going to be the most complex part I have ever played and I feel privileged to have been asked to do it.” 

Well done Ellie!

To get tickets please visit: http://www.belperartsfestival.org/

Louis Bernard in Henry V

henry v frame

2014 graduate Louis Bernard will be working with Antic Disposition this Spring on their production of Henry V for 2 weeks (26th March - 6th April) in the Middle Temple Hall, London and then on a UK Cathedral tour from 18th to 29th April 2016.

The production marks the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and the ongoing centenary of the First World War, and is performed by talented British and French actors.

The show has received many reviews in the UK press - please see below. Congratulations to everyone involved and to Louis for this excellent credit.

Update January 2017: Louis will be featuring alongside fellow graduate, Stephen Lloyd, in a revival of Henry V where the production returns to bring a series of special performances this February, from 2nd - 22nd, in eight of England's finest cathedrals. To get tickets, please visit the page here

Well done all!

If you’re one of our alumni we would love to hear from you, please email us on alumni@alra.co.uk with your story.